French Troops Arrest Gbagbo

BBC reports:

Besieged Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo has been detained in the main city Abidjan and delivered to the headquarters of his elected successor.

He reportedly surrendered to Alassane Ouattara's forces after French tanks advanced on his residence.

Mr Gbagbo had been refusing to cede power to Mr Ouattara after losing November's presidential election.

France said pro-Ouattara troops had detained him, but an aide to Mr Gbagbo said it was French special forces.

Mr Gbagbo was then taken to the city's Golf Hotel, where Mr Ouattara has his headquarters.

UN peacekeepers have accused pro-Gbabgo forces of endangering the civilian population, and had asked French troops in Ivory Coast to act against the defiant leader's heavy weapons.

Ivory Coast's permanent representative to the UN, Youssoufou Bamba, said Mr Gbagbo would stand trial.

In London, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said that if charges were brought, Mr Gbagbo should be tried in an orderly manner.