Ivory Coast Forces Regain Control of Daloa City

According to reports from Ivory Coast, central government forces have regained control of the city of Daloa, a coffee production center. Daloa was captured by rebel soldiers last week. Eyewitnesses in Daloa say that government loyalists, following heavy fighting, have reclaimed the city from the rebels and are currently patrolling the streets. Yesterday, after the rebel leaders halted ceasefire talks, Laurent Gbagbo, the President of Ivory Coast, stated that the rebellion which began on September 19 will end this week, either through dialogue or war. 700 soldiers dismissed from the army revolted last month in protest against their dismissal and have taken control of northern regions of the country, receiving support from Muslims predominantly located in the north. Residents of these areas claim that the government, which is in the hands of Christians from the north, has not treated them well. The latest news from West African mediators in Ivory Coast indicates that they hope to soon achieve a ceasefire that will end the month-long uprising in the country. They also expect to present a new ceasefire proposal to the rebel headquarters on Thursday. Recent reports suggest that the rebels have disagreements over accepting a ceasefire while Laurent Gbagbo remains president. Meanwhile, reports indicate that fighting continues in the important city of Daloa, located in the cocoa-producing region of Ivory Coast. The conflict began on December 19 when hundreds of soldiers took up arms against the government's plans to downsize the army through their dismissal.