AFP - Allied Alassane Ouattara, Gbagbo recognized by the international community, took a fourth place Sunday in western countries with forces loyal to the outgoing Head of State Laurent Gbagbo said on from both sides.
At the end of fighting, the "rebel" New Forces (FN) "took the town of Doke, between Toulépleu and Bloléquin," he told AFP pro-Gbagbo militia, joined by telephone from Abidjan.
"Our troops are currently stationed in Doke," confirmed a senior FN based in Man, the main town of the "Great West" Ivorian border of Liberia.
Since mid-February, the FN, who held the north since 2002, and took four towns in the west, making them most was the town of Toulepleu, fell on March 6 after a battle against the Defence Forces and Security (FDS) loyal to Mr.Gbagbo and the militia who support them.
The objective of the pro-Ouattara is to take the city of Bloléquin, about ten miles Doke, which would open access to the center-west and the port of San Pedro (south-west), the largest port export of cocoa in the world.
"They are moving towards Bloléquin," said the pro-Gbagbo militia, describing the fighters FN as "well equipped" with "rocket launchers, machine guns".
"We are preparing to defend with SDS Bloléquin Bloléquin because after they count up Guiglo and Duekoue," two strategic towns in the region, he said.
Guillaume Soro, leader of the FN and Prime Minister Mr.Ouattara, had made this week in the West, calling his men to "secure" area and drive out the "mercenaries" pro-Gbagbo.
"We received orders from the Prime Minister. We will not lay down their arms," the official added FN.
The western region is crossed by the former front line between the north of FN-controlled south Gbagbo camp.
Renewed fighting in the most unstable region of the country comes as Abidjan was itself the scene of armed clashes between insurgents and pro-Ouattara SDS, in the district of Abobo (north), stronghold of the rival M . Gbagbo.
The SDS has led an offensive Saturday to Abobo, which resulted in the death of ten people but did not seem to have made time move the lines on the ground.
