Akhir 08, 1432 / March 13, 2011, SPA -- A spokesman for President Alassane Ouattara has confirmed that the Ivorian leader has returned to Abidjan by helicopter and is back at a hotel under U.N. protection, according to AP. Spokesman Patrick Achi said Ouattara returned late Saturday night. The internationally recognized leader of Ivory Coast left last week to attend a meeting of the African Union. It was his first trip outside the country since the Nov. 28 presidential election, and there had been concern that the country's strongman, who is refusing to cede power, would try to shoot down Ouattara's helicopter upon his return. The president's inner circle disguised the leader's travel plans, telling reporters that Ouattara was headed to Senegal and Burkina Faso, when in fact he was already back in the country.
