Ivory Coast: Bank gets tough over Gbagbo

The West African central bank has closed down its offices in Ivory Coast after they were seized by incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo, who is clinging to power despite apparently losing last year's election.

It effectively shuts off Mr Gbagbo's access to state coffers, and sends a freeze into the Ivorian economy that relies heavily on the bank's resources for financial transactions.

The bank's governing body has recognised Mr Gbagbo's opponent, Alassane Ouattara, as the legitimate winner of the presidential election.