Ivory Coast: Ivorian opposition reject Gbagbo

Ivory Coast's opposition have rejected an African Union (AU) proposal that President Laurent Gbagbo should remain in office for another year. The AU had said this would give him time to organise delayed elections which had been scheduled for October. Four opposition parties said Mr Gbagbo was responsible for the current impasse and called for a neutral leader. The Ivorian crisis began three years ago when the New Forces rebels seized the north of the country. In their meeting last week, the AU had said Mr Gbagbo should appoint a prime minister for the next year acceptable to all, to assume executive powers.