Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo was in Ivory Coast Sunday, making a new effort to mediate the country's political crisis.
Officials familiar with the situation say Mr. Obasanjo arrived in the main city of Abidjan on Saturday and held separate talks with incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara.
The officials said more talks were planned for Sunday.
The international community recognizes Mr. Ouattara as the winner of November's presidential election, but Mr. Gbagbo insists that he won the vote and has refused to step down.
African leaders have held several meetings with the incumbent in hopes of convincing him to leave, so far without success.
The West African bloc ECOWAS has threatened to remove Mr. Gbagbo by force unless he cedes power to Mr. Ouattara.
Regional support for Mr. Ouattara weakened slightly Friday when Ghana's president, John Atta Mills, said his country is not taking sides in the standoff and will support any government in Ivory Coast.
Mr. Mills also said he does not support the use of military force to oust Mr. Gbagbo.
Pro-Gbagbo forces continue to keep Mr. Ouattara confined to the Abidjan hotel where he has been for about a month.
Officials familiar with the situation say Mr. Obasanjo arrived in the main city of Abidjan on Saturday and held separate talks with incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara.
The officials said more talks were planned for Sunday.
The international community recognizes Mr. Ouattara as the winner of November's presidential election, but Mr. Gbagbo insists that he won the vote and has refused to step down.
African leaders have held several meetings with the incumbent in hopes of convincing him to leave, so far without success.
The West African bloc ECOWAS has threatened to remove Mr. Gbagbo by force unless he cedes power to Mr. Ouattara.
Regional support for Mr. Ouattara weakened slightly Friday when Ghana's president, John Atta Mills, said his country is not taking sides in the standoff and will support any government in Ivory Coast.
Mr. Mills also said he does not support the use of military force to oust Mr. Gbagbo.
Pro-Gbagbo forces continue to keep Mr. Ouattara confined to the Abidjan hotel where he has been for about a month.
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