Military intervention in Ivory Coast will not necessarily trigger a civil war, presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara said on Wednesday, according to Reuters. Ouattara said he preferred a peaceful solution to the crisis but dismissed negotiating with Laurent Gbagbo, telling France 24 television that the incumbent must "leave power to allow Ivory Coast to return to normal". Gbagbo has refused to cede power to Ouattara, widely seen as winner of a disputed Nov. 28 election, despite international pressure, sanctions and the threat of force, and he has accused world leaders of meddling in Ivory Coast's internal affairs. Ouattara's aides have called for a regional West African force to make good on a threat to kick out Gbagbo if he refuses to go, but there are fears that the involvement of foreign forces could tip the country back into civil war. "I think he will be responsible for the situation that he will face. Military intervention does not mean that the Ivory Coast will ignite," Ouattara said of his rival. "All that needs to be done, as has been done in other African countries, is to come and get Gbagbo and remove him from the presidential palace." Ouattara said an offer this week by Gbagbo to negotiate an end to the crisis was just an attempt to buy time in order to recruit mercenaries to kill Ivorians and smuggle money out." Ivory Coast security forces on Wednesday maintained a near total blockade of the hotel where Ouattara is holed up under U.N. guard, despite a promise by Gbagbo to ease it. A heavy military and police presence was still sealing off roads leading to the lagoon-side Golf Hotel, turning away all cars that tried to pass. -- SPA
