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Several dead in Ivory Coast riots Several dead in Ivory Coast riots
(about 5 hours later)
Several people have been killed in the Ivory Coast during clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Several people have been killed in Ivory Coast during clashes between security forces and demonstrators.
Reports say security forces fired live bullets and tear gas into the crowd of hundreds of protesters. Security forces fired live bullets into the crowd of thousands of protesters, a demonstrator told the BBC.
The violence in the town of Gagnoa is the latest in a series of demonstrations against President Laurent Gbagbo. The violence in the town of Gagnoa is the latest in a series of protests against President Laurent Gbagbo.
Last week he dissolved the government and the electoral commission following a row over voter registration. Last week, Mr Gbagbo dissolved the government and the electoral commission following a row over voter registration.
Speaking to the AFP news agency, hospital staff in the town said demonstrators had brought three bodies to the hospital and that the victims had gunshot wounds. The opposition accuse him of stalling on presidential elections, which have been delayed every year since 2005.
'Gunshot wounds'
Since last Friday there have been protests in towns across the country, but this is the first time people have been killed.
The BBC's John James in the commercial capital Abidjan spoke to one of the demonstrators in Gagnoa, who said the police had fired into the crowd with real bullets.
The prime minister has to form a new government by Saturday
Other reports said the deaths had come afterwards when police searched for opposition protestors.
Speaking to the AFP news agency, hospital staff in the town said three bodies had been brought to the hospital and that the victims had gunshot wounds.
The Associated Press news agency, quoting the opposition, says three people were killed and more than a dozen injured, after police opened fire on demonstrators.The Associated Press news agency, quoting the opposition, says three people were killed and more than a dozen injured, after police opened fire on demonstrators.
A police source confirmed to AFP that there were "some dead" but he could not say how many people had been killed. A police source confirmed to AFP that there were "some dead", but he could not say how many people had been killed.
There are reports of demonstrations during the day in several other towns in Ivory Coast.
AFP says that at Bingerville in the south, near Abidjan, the army fired shots in the air and tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
And at Tiebissou in the centre of the country, scuffles broke out between demonstrators and security forces. A local opposition official said several people had been hurt, says AFP.
Correspondents say Ivory Coast is under increasing international pressure to restart an electoral process that is meant to end a crisis sparked by a civil war in 2002 and 2003.Correspondents say Ivory Coast is under increasing international pressure to restart an electoral process that is meant to end a crisis sparked by a civil war in 2002 and 2003.
A week ago, the president announced that Ivory Coast's government had been dissolved.A week ago, the president announced that Ivory Coast's government had been dissolved.
He also said he was disbanding the election commission, saying its director Robert Beugre Mambe had been "running an illegal operation". Mr Mambe is a member of an opposition party.He also said he was disbanding the election commission, saying its director Robert Beugre Mambe had been "running an illegal operation". Mr Mambe is a member of an opposition party.
The opposition says most of the people who were disqualified by the election commission were from ethnic groups in the north of the country, who were unlikely to support Mr Gbagbo in any vote.The opposition says most of the people who were disqualified by the election commission were from ethnic groups in the north of the country, who were unlikely to support Mr Gbagbo in any vote.
Elections, last scheduled for 29 November 2009, have been postponed six times.Elections, last scheduled for 29 November 2009, have been postponed six times.
President Gbagbo was elected in October 2000 for a five-year term. On Wednesday the Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, the leader of the ex-rebels, suspended judicial rulings on voter-enrolment because of rising tensions. President Gbagbo was elected in October 2000 for a five-year term.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, the leader of the ex-rebels, suspended judicial rulings on voter-enrolment because of rising tensions.
Mr Soro is expected to propose a new power-sharing government by Saturday evening.
But the opposition continue to say they will not accept any posts until the electoral commission is re-established.