Gbagbo Warns Attempt to Remove Him Could Spark War in Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo says any attempt to use force to remove him from power could start a war in West Africa.

Gbagbo told France’s Le Figaro newspaper Sunday that no one can trample on Ivory Coast’s laws and constitution.

Both Gbagbo and political rival Allassane Ouattara claim they won last month’s presidential election. The international community is recognizing Ouattara as the winner, and the West African regional bloc ECOWAS is threatening to use force to get Gbagbo to leave.