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.

Ivory Coast's incumbent leader has seized the nation's electric company and its distribution centre.

Allies of the man who the world says won Ivory Coast's disputed presidential election called for a immediate general strike from today until his defiant rival conceded defeat and left office.

The United Nations' top envoy in Ivory Coast told the world body there was "only one winner" of the recent presidential election - and it was not the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo.

International pressure mounted on Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo today to accept defeat following the country’s disputed election, a day after the constitutional council led by one of his allies overturned results deemed credible by independent observers.