"I won the election with 51.45 percent of the vote. I am president of Ivory Coast."

Defying global criticism, Ivory Coast’s Laurent Gbagbo insisted he was the true president of the country, vowing that UN and French troops might leave, with his opponents hit back.

 "I won the election with 51.45 percent of the vote. I am president of Ivory Coast. I thank the Ivorians who renewed their faith in me," Gbagbo said on state television which crucially backs him.
"The troubles we see today in Ivory Coast are caused by the refusal of my opponent to submit himself to the laws, rules and procedures that apply in our country," Gbagbo added.

Both Gbagbo and long-time rival Alassane Ouattara claimed victory after the November 28 poll, triggering a violent political dispute.
The United Nations has recognized Ouattara as victor of the disputed poll and accuses the incumbent's forces of carrying out death squad-style killings.

Gbagbo also accused the international community of "making war" on his people, but insisted he did not want to see more bloodshed after at least 50 people died and offered to allow envoys from world powers to form a panel to study the post-election crisis.

The camp of Ouattara said Tuesday that Gbagbo was "playing tricks with the world."
Gbagbo continued to "defy" the international community by proposing a dialogue, and must leave the office of president, Ouattara's spokeswoman Anne Ouloto said.

Earlier, Gbagbo ordered the UN peacekeeping mission in the country to leave Ivory Coast, in response to the international recognition of his rival.
But UN Chief Ban Ki-moon rejected the order insisting the UN forces will stay in the country.