Heavy fighting as Ivory Coast rebels attack presidential palace

HEAVY fighting is raging near the presidential palace in the Ivory Coast’s largest city Abidjan as armed forces loyal to the elected president try to install him in power and oust the country’s strongman.

Residents locked up in their homes reported barrages of heavy arms fire punctuated by detonations throughout the night.

On the peninsula where the presidential palace is situated, buildings were shaking with each explosion, witnesses said.