Ivory Coast Forces Shoot Dead 6 Women Protesters

Abidjan - Security forces loyal to strongman Laurent Gbagbo shot dead at least six women in a protest Thursday to support his rival presidential candidate, witnesses said.

The shooting took place when hundreds of women gathered in the Abobo district of Abidjan, the headquarters of Alassane Ouattara, and chanting "Gbagbo, flee!" and "Alassane president", said one resident told AFP.

When the Defence and Security Forces arrived with armored vehicles, "they opened fire, " said one resident to another.

"Six women died at the scene," he said.

Several other witnesses said, the death toll higher and many are injured, some by gunfire and the others were trampled after the shooting.

Harsh clashes erupted in the West African country since the dispute concerning the 28 November presidential election where the winning Quattara recognized by the international community.

Gbagbo, in power since 2000, refused to leave the presidency.

Ouattara received international support, including the UN, while the African Union heads of state to form a team to find ways to overcome this crisis.