Focus on economy, not politics, says Laurent Gbagbo

Ivory Coast's deposed former leader Laurent Gbagbo urged his supporters yesterday to drop political quarrels for now and help the West African country revive its economy in peace.

Mr Gbagbo was ousted from power on 11 April by forces loyal to his successor, Alassane Ouattara, backed by French and UN troops deployed to help end a four-month power struggle in which thousands of people died.

His supporters have continued to battle government forces in pro-Gbagbo areas of the main city, Abidjan, and residents in the Yopougon district reported heavy weapons fire yesterday after the security forces deployed to the western neighbourhood.

Mr Ouattara has promised to launch a South African-style truth and reconciliation process, but was urged by a delegation of senior international officials yesterday to ensure it was impartial and balanced.

"I insist that there be an economic and security revival, and after that we can talk about politics," Mr Gbagbo said from the city of Korhogo, where he is under house arrest.

South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu - part of a delegation meeting Mr Gbagbo that also included former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and former Irish president Mary Robinson - said he was heartened by the comments.

"We are very, very pleased that the former president wants to see his country return to normality," said Archbishop Tutu. He was a member of The Elders, a group brought together by former South African leader Nelson Mandela in 2007 to work on peace and human rights issues.

Mr Gbagbo, who refused to quit for months after a 28 November election, appeared relaxed, wearing a light blue shirt and dark pants. Security around the compound was light.