Renegade warlord Ibrahim “IB” Coulibaly, a two-time coup plotter who began the pro-democracy battle for Abidjan, was killed fighting his one-time allies, Ivory Coast state television said.

Mercenaries arrested in France told investigators they were plotting to assassinate Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, Paris prosecutors said today.

Rebel troops in Ivory Coast have seized more towns in a bloody military uprising that has so far cost the lives of around 270 people.

Ivory Coast forces have quelled a concerted coup attempt launched as the West African nation's president travelled abroad.

Ivory Coast’s interior minister was killed today during a military uprising in the West African country, an aide to President Laurent Gbagbo said in Rome, where the president was on a state visit.