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Ivorian leader in landmark visit Ivorian leader in landmark visit
(20 minutes later)
Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has arrived in the former rebel-held north for the first time since 2002, when an uprising against him split the country.Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has arrived in the former rebel-held north for the first time since 2002, when an uprising against him split the country.
Mr Gbagbo is in Bouake - the stronghold of the former New Forces rebels.Mr Gbagbo is in Bouake - the stronghold of the former New Forces rebels.
He is to attend a "flame of peace" ceremony, during which stockpiled weapons will be burned to symbolise the start of disarmament in the north.He is to attend a "flame of peace" ceremony, during which stockpiled weapons will be burned to symbolise the start of disarmament in the north.
Mr Gbagbo signed a peace deal in March with ex-rebel leader Guillaume Soro, who was later named as prime minister.Mr Gbagbo signed a peace deal in March with ex-rebel leader Guillaume Soro, who was later named as prime minister.
More than 1,000 troops - government and ex-militants - are to join forces to provide security for officials. UN and French peacekeepers will police the crowds. BBC Ivory Coast correspondent James Copnall says the visit is extremely significant, however serious doubts remain about the peace process.
'War is over'
He says that only a few guns are to be burnt in the ceremony, as details of the disarmament are still sketchy.
The visit comes just a month after rockets were fired at Mr Soro's plane as it landed at Bouake's airport, in what he said was an assassination attempt.
Q&A: Ivory Coast's crisisQ&A: Ivory Coast's crisis
Security is tight and is being provided by both loyalist troops and ex-rebels, backed up by UN and French peacekeepers.
"It is a powerful symbol of reunification. Loyalist soldiers will be side-by-side with rebel soldiers. The war is truly over," said Mr Gbagbo's spokesman, Gervais Coulibaly."It is a powerful symbol of reunification. Loyalist soldiers will be side-by-side with rebel soldiers. The war is truly over," said Mr Gbagbo's spokesman, Gervais Coulibaly.
The president, who has declared Monday a public holiday, has invited leaders of other African nations including Burkina Faso, South Africa, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali, Senegal.The president, who has declared Monday a public holiday, has invited leaders of other African nations including Burkina Faso, South Africa, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali, Senegal.
A series of concerts was also planned on Sunday night in Bouake's 26,000-capacity football stadium, where Monday's ceremony will also take place. A series of concerts was also planned on Sunday night in Bouake's 26,000-capacity football stadium, where Monday's ceremony is to take place.
The "flame of peace" is then to be carried to all 19 regions of Ivory Coast to symbolise national reconciliation.
'Real progress''Real progress'
New Forces rebels seized northern Ivory Coast in September 2002 and accused President Gbagbo of discriminating against northerners and Muslims.New Forces rebels seized northern Ivory Coast in September 2002 and accused President Gbagbo of discriminating against northerners and Muslims.
Following a peace agreement in March this year, brokered in Burkina Faso, Mr Gbagbo appointed former rebel leader Guillaume Soro as prime minister. Mr Soro reached a deal with his former foe, President GbagboFollowing a peace agreement in March this year, brokered in Burkina Faso, Mr Gbagbo appointed former rebel leader Guillaume Soro as prime minister.
Mr Soro reached a deal with his former foe, President GbagboA new government was formed, and an amnesty law created by presidential decree which covered almost all crimes committed by both belligerent parties. A new government was formed, and an amnesty law created by presidential decree which covered almost all crimes committed by both belligerent parties.
Mr Gbagbo and Mr Soro agreed a deal to reunite the country and hold elections, which have repeatedly been cancelled, by early 2008.Mr Gbagbo and Mr Soro agreed a deal to reunite the country and hold elections, which have repeatedly been cancelled, by early 2008.
Under that deal, a buffer zone patrolled by UN and French peacekeepers between the two forces has been dismantled. Correspondents say there has been no serious fighting since November 2004, and in recent times the peace process had seemed to be making real progress. Under that deal, a buffer zone patrolled by UN and French peacekeepers between the two forces has been dismantled.