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4 December 2010
Last updated at 09:56 ET
Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has been sworn in for a new term, defying an international outcry over last Sunday's run-off poll.
The US, UN and France say the election was won by Mr Gbagbo's rival - opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara.
He was declared the winner by the nation's electoral body, but this was overturned the Constitutional Council in favour of Mr Gbagbo.
Mr Ouattara is also planning to hold his own swearing-in ceremony.
The presidential run-off was intended to reunify the world's largest cocoa producer after a civil war in 2002, but could now leave the nation with two rival presidents.
At least four people have been killed in election-related clashes this week in the country's main city of Abidjan.
PM quits "I swear solemnly and on my honour to respect and faithfully defend the constitution," Mr Gbagbo said during the swearing-in ceremony in Abidjan.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
He took the oath to loud cheers from a number of his supporters at the presidential palace.
Meanwhile, Mr Ouattara is planning to hold a rival swearing-in ceremony at an Abidjan compound guarded by UN peacekeepers.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro tendered his resignation, saying he backed Mr Ouattara.
Mr Soro has warned that overturning the results threatens to derail attempts to stabilise and reunify the country after the war.
On Thursday, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) declared that Mr Ouattara had won the 28 November run-off by 54.1% to 45.9%.
But after Mr Gbagbo and his supporters alleged the ballot had been fraudulent, the Constitutional Council overruled the Commission.
Chairman Paul Yao N'Dre said Mr Gbagbo had secured just over 51% of the vote.
'Held to account' US President Barack Obama has rejected the Constitutional Council's decision.
"The Independent Electoral Commission, credible and accredited observers and the United Nations have all confirmed this result and attested to its credibility," he said.
He congratulated Mr Ouattara and said the international community would "hold those who act to thwart the democratic process and the will of the electorate accountable for their actions".
French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Mr Gbagbo to "respect the will of the people, abstain from any action that might provoke violence" and to help establish peace.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon earlier called on Mr Gbagbo "to do his part for the good of the country and to co-operate in a smooth political transition".
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the current chairman of regional bloc Ecowas, said all parties should "respect and fully implement the verdict of the Ivorian people as declared by the Independent Electoral Commission".
The head of the UN mission in Ivory Coast also said it regarded Mr Ouattara as the winner, while the African Union said it was "deeply concerned" by the developments.
The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, said the IMF would only work with an Ivory Coast government recognised by the UN.
Mr Ouattara told reporters on Friday evening: "I am the elected president of the Republic of Ivory Coast.
"The Constitutional Council has abused its authority, the whole world knows it, and I am sorry for my country's image."
Are you in Ivory Coast? What is your reaction to the latest announcement? What are your concerns about the election outcome? Send your comments to the BBC using the form below:
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The US, UN and France say the election was won by Mr Gbagbo's rival - opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara.
He was declared the winner by the nation's electoral body, but this was overturned the Constitutional Council in favour of Mr Gbagbo.
Mr Ouattara is also planning to hold his own swearing-in ceremony.
The presidential run-off was intended to reunify the world's largest cocoa producer after a civil war in 2002, but could now leave the nation with two rival presidents.
At least four people have been killed in election-related clashes this week in the country's main city of Abidjan.
PM quits "I swear solemnly and on my honour to respect and faithfully defend the constitution," Mr Gbagbo said during the swearing-in ceremony in Abidjan.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
The Constitutional Council has abused its authority, the whole world knows it, and I am sorry for my country's image”
End Quote
Alassane Ouattara
He took the oath to loud cheers from a number of his supporters at the presidential palace.
Meanwhile, Mr Ouattara is planning to hold a rival swearing-in ceremony at an Abidjan compound guarded by UN peacekeepers.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Guillaume Soro tendered his resignation, saying he backed Mr Ouattara.
Mr Soro has warned that overturning the results threatens to derail attempts to stabilise and reunify the country after the war.
On Thursday, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) declared that Mr Ouattara had won the 28 November run-off by 54.1% to 45.9%.
But after Mr Gbagbo and his supporters alleged the ballot had been fraudulent, the Constitutional Council overruled the Commission.
Chairman Paul Yao N'Dre said Mr Gbagbo had secured just over 51% of the vote.
'Held to account' US President Barack Obama has rejected the Constitutional Council's decision.
"The Independent Electoral Commission, credible and accredited observers and the United Nations have all confirmed this result and attested to its credibility," he said.
He congratulated Mr Ouattara and said the international community would "hold those who act to thwart the democratic process and the will of the electorate accountable for their actions".
French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Mr Gbagbo to "respect the will of the people, abstain from any action that might provoke violence" and to help establish peace.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon earlier called on Mr Gbagbo "to do his part for the good of the country and to co-operate in a smooth political transition".
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the current chairman of regional bloc Ecowas, said all parties should "respect and fully implement the verdict of the Ivorian people as declared by the Independent Electoral Commission".
The head of the UN mission in Ivory Coast also said it regarded Mr Ouattara as the winner, while the African Union said it was "deeply concerned" by the developments.
The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, said the IMF would only work with an Ivory Coast government recognised by the UN.
Mr Ouattara told reporters on Friday evening: "I am the elected president of the Republic of Ivory Coast.
"The Constitutional Council has abused its authority, the whole world knows it, and I am sorry for my country's image."
Are you in Ivory Coast? What is your reaction to the latest announcement? What are your concerns about the election outcome? Send your comments to the BBC using the form below:
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software