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Ivorian leader in landmark visit Ivory Coast leaders burn weapons
(about 3 hours 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. Ivory Coast's president and prime minister have set fire to stockpiled weapons to symbolise the end of the two men's five-year conflict.
Mr Gbagbo is in Bouake - the stronghold of the former New Forces rebels. It was the first time that President Laurent Gbagbo had gone to the former rebel-held north since 2002, when an uprising against him split the country.
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. "People of Ivory Coast, the war is over," he said in Bouake.
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.
"By setting fire to these guns which were the seeds of destruction, we are marking the end of the war," Mr Soro said.
He added that Mr Gbagbo's visit to the former rebel New Forces base mean the country was reunited.
BBC Ivory Coast correspondent James Copnall says the visit is extremely significant, however serious doubts remain about the peace process.BBC Ivory Coast correspondent James Copnall says the visit is extremely significant, however serious doubts remain about the peace process.
'War is over' Tear gas
He says that only a few guns are to be burnt in the ceremony, as details of the disarmament are still sketchy. He says that only a few guns were burnt in the ceremony, and 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.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.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.
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 is to take place.
The "flame of peace" is then to be carried to all 19 regions of Ivory Coast to symbolise national reconciliation.The "flame of peace" is then to be carried to all 19 regions of Ivory Coast to symbolise national reconciliation.
But on Sunday, riot police fired tear gas at supporters of Mr Gbagbo, known as the Young Patriots, who were protesting in the main city Abidjan at a shortage of coaches to take them to Bouake.But on Sunday, riot police fired tear gas at supporters of Mr Gbagbo, known as the Young Patriots, who were protesting in the main city Abidjan at a shortage of coaches to take them to Bouake.
'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.
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. President Gbagbo has declared Monday a public holidayFollowing a peace agreement in March this year, brokered in Burkina Faso, Mr Gbagbo appointed former rebel leader Guillaume Soro as prime minister.
A 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.Under that deal, a buffer zone patrolled by UN and French peacekeepers between the two forces has been dismantled.