Ivory Coast's leader Gbagbo arrested

Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo and his wife were detained on Monday following a French-led military raid at his home in Abidjan, Xinhua reported.

Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo and his wife were detained on Monday following a French-led military raid at his home in Abidjan, Xinhua reported.

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He was taken to the Golf Hotel in Abidjan. The French ambassador to Ivory Coast has confirmed the arrest of 65-year-old Gbagbo.

Ivory Coast's envoy to UN Youssoufou Bamba said hours after the arrest that Gbagbo is "alive and well" and will be put on trial.

The latest development comes following months of political stalemate between Ivory Coast strongman Gbagbo and Ouattara, who is globally recognized as the winner of the Nov 28 presidential election last year.

French troops in Ivory Coast sent helicopters and armored vehicles Monday morning in the decisive swoop upon Gbagbo's last bastion in Abidjan.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Ouattara had a lengthy talk over phone after the arrest of Gbagbo, according to the Elysee Palace.