For more news visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.com<br />Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision<br />Follow us on Facebook ☛ http://facebook.com/NTDTelevision<br /><br />The Ivory Coast presidential claimant, Alassane Ouattara, calls for the country's military to join him, as his forces close in on rival, incumbent Laurent Gbagbo. Here' more.<br /><br />The United States says Alassane Ouattara's forces made a final push against rival Laurent Gbagbo in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan on Thursday.<br /><br />The U.N.-backed presidential claimant issued a call to the country's military forces to back him.<br /><br />Appearing on television, Ouattara said his forces were closing in on his opponent.<br /><br />[Alassane Ouattara, UN-Backed Ivory Coast Presidential Winner]:<br />"Today they are at the doorstep of Abidjan. To all those who are still hesitating, whether you are generals, superior officers, officers, under-officers, rank-and-file soldiers, I ask you to put yourself at the disposal of your country and thereby return to legality. There is still time to join your brothers-in-arms, the Republican Forces. The country calls you."<br /><br />French troops supporting the U.N. in Ivory Coast patrolled the streets of Abidjan on Thursday as sounds of heavy weapon fire rang out over the rooftops.<br /><br />Laurent Gbagbo has resisted pressure to step aside following last November's poll, most say that he lost.<br /><br />Gbagbo is believed to be in the presidential palace protected by troops.
