Forces loyal to internationally recognised Ivory Coast leader Alassane Ouattara seized control of
the country's RTI state television, a spokesman for Ouattara's defence minister said.
"We took RTI, the Republican Forces are at RTI", Captain Leon Kouakou Alla said, referring to the forces loyal to Ouattara.
Several residents confirmed that the television station was no longer broadcasting.
Heavy weapons fire could be heard coming from the area surrounding strongman Laurent Gbagbo's residence in the upmarket Cocody district where RTI headquarters are located.
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Gbagbo "must go, this is the goal," said Alla.
"We therefore have to take the presidential palace in the (central) Plateau district and the presidential residence at Cocody"."
Heavy arms fire could also be heard in the Plateau district for about 30 minutes after midnight.
