The army chief for Ivory Coast’s entrenched president has rejoined the military days after deserting and seeking refuge at a foreign diplomat’s residence.

Fighters trying to install Ivory Coast’s democratically-elected president descended on its largest city and seat of power, poised for a final push to oust the entrenched ruler.

Rebels fighting to install Ivory Coast’s democratically elected president began besieging the main city of Abidjan today after seizing a key seaport.