Forces loyal to Ivorian presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara prepare to advance on the capital Abidjan April 1, 2011. Fierce fighting spread across Abidjan on Friday as troops loyal to Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo fended off attacks by forces supportin
Forces loyal to Ivorian presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara prepare to advance on the capital Abidjan April 1, 2011. Fierce fighting spread across Abidjan on Friday as troops loyal to Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo fended off attacks by forces supporting Ouattara's rival claim to the presidency. Reuters

Laurent Gbagbo, the President of the Ivory Coast, is on the verge of leaving office, it is being reported as three of his generals negotiate surrender terms.

Mr Gbagbo is currently hiding in a bunker beneath his home in the city of Abidjan. According to the BBC, his home has been surrounded by soldiers loyal to Alassane Ouattara, who has been recognised as the legitimate President by the United Nations.

According to the French government negotiations have almost reached the point where Mr Gbagbo will agree to leave office. However it is believed that before any deal will be reached both Mr Gbagbo and his generals want guarantees of their personal safety.

The conflict between Mr Gbagbo and Mr Ouattara began in November when Mr Gbagbo refused to concede defeat in the general election, despite the election commission in the country declaring Mr Ouattara the winner.

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