Ivory Coast's Ouattara steps up pressure on rival

[December 14, 2010]  ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) -- The man whom most of the world recognizes as president of Ivory Coast is stepping up the pressure on his rival to relinquish power.

Alassane Ouattara -- who has been endorsed by the United States, France and others -- is trying to destabilize Laurent Gbagbo's government by cutting off access to the state treasury.

Gbagbo says he is the rightful winner of the disputed election and is refusing to step down, though the United Nations says he lost.

Ouattara has asked West Africa's central bank to refuse Gbagbo and his government access to state funds.

If the request is accepted, civil servants and soldiers may not be paid their salaries. That could set the stage for mass defections and turn the tide against Gbagbo.

[Associated Press]

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