Mystery fire strikes Ivory Coast Treasury

Fire engulfed at least three floors of Ivory Coast's multi- storey Treasury building yesterday and authorities would not comment on its cause.

Ivory Coast has been in turmoil since a disputed 28 November election, with rival presidential claimants struggling for control of the West African country's coffers.

Laurent Gbagbo, below right, who retains control of state institutions and the military, has rejected international pressure to step down after UN-certified results showed he lost the vote to rival Alassane Ouattara, left.

The Central Bank of West African States moved to cut Mr Gbagbo off from Ivorian accounts in an attempt to loosen his grip on power, but Mr Gbagbo last month took control of the bank's local offices.