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Ivorian rebels spurn Gbagbo plan Ivorian rebels spurn Gbagbo plan
(about 23 hours later)
Rebels in the Ivory Coast have opposed calls for President Laurent Gbagbo to lead the country for another year until elections can be held.Rebels in the Ivory Coast have opposed calls for President Laurent Gbagbo to lead the country for another year until elections can be held.
African Union heads of state meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, recommended the extension at a meeting on Tuesday.African Union heads of state meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, recommended the extension at a meeting on Tuesday.
Rebels have held the north of the country since a civil war in 2002.Rebels have held the north of the country since a civil war in 2002.
They reject President Gbagbo's government, which was extended for 12 months under a peace plan last October.They reject President Gbagbo's government, which was extended for 12 months under a peace plan last October.
Precondition to peacePrecondition to peace
"We still demand [Gbagbo] goes after October 30. Nothing justifies his presence in this transition," rebel spokesman Sidiki Konate told Reuters news agency."We still demand [Gbagbo] goes after October 30. Nothing justifies his presence in this transition," rebel spokesman Sidiki Konate told Reuters news agency.
"It means permanent blockage and another year without elections and another year of suffering for the Ivorian people," he said."It means permanent blockage and another year without elections and another year of suffering for the Ivorian people," he said.
Proposals announced at the time of last year's UN peace plan to disarm militias and carry out a census and identity papers survey of the country's population have failed to get off the ground.Proposals announced at the time of last year's UN peace plan to disarm militias and carry out a census and identity papers survey of the country's population have failed to get off the ground.
We want war, we do not want Banny Pro-Gbagbo protester We want war, we do not want Banny Pro-Gbagbo protester href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4391&edition=2&ttl=20061019140130" class="">Does quiet diplomacy work?
A resolution to these issues is considered an essential precondition to holding elections capable of ending the country's simmering civil war.A resolution to these issues is considered an essential precondition to holding elections capable of ending the country's simmering civil war.
There are more than 10,000 French and UN troops in Ivory Coast, most patrolling the ceasefire line between the northern and southern parts of the country.There are more than 10,000 French and UN troops in Ivory Coast, most patrolling the ceasefire line between the northern and southern parts of the country.
The African Union also recommended on Wednesday that President Gbagbo's prime minister, Charles Konan Banny, be given control of the country's military and security forces.The African Union also recommended on Wednesday that President Gbagbo's prime minister, Charles Konan Banny, be given control of the country's military and security forces.
Mr Banny is regarded as a neutral figure, but diplomats say he has often been overshadowed and politically outmanoevred by President Gbagbo.Mr Banny is regarded as a neutral figure, but diplomats say he has often been overshadowed and politically outmanoevred by President Gbagbo.
ProtestsProtests
In the wake of the African Union proposal, President Gbagbo's aide Ben Soumahoro called for the prime minister to resign.In the wake of the African Union proposal, President Gbagbo's aide Ben Soumahoro called for the prime minister to resign.
"Banny has failed and all that's left for him to do is step down," he told the Associated Press news agency."Banny has failed and all that's left for him to do is step down," he told the Associated Press news agency.
The stance was echoed by pro-Gbagbo supporters staging a protest at the airport in the country's economic capital, Abidjan.The stance was echoed by pro-Gbagbo supporters staging a protest at the airport in the country's economic capital, Abidjan.
The protesters carried placards reading "We want war, we do not want Banny", AFP news agency reported.The protesters carried placards reading "We want war, we do not want Banny", AFP news agency reported.