Embattled Ivory Coast President Seeks Talks With Rival

Embattled Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has said he wants to talk with his rival, Alassane Ouattara.

Mr. Gbagbo has been isolated by the international community, including the United States, after refusing to yield the presidency although he had fewer votes than Mr. Ouattara in last month's poll.

Both men have taken the oath of office and begun organizing competing governments.

Earlier this week, the African Union dispatched former South African president Thabo Mbeki to seek a solution, but after two days of talks, the situation was not resolved.

The Ivory Coast's presidential election, its first in 10 years, was meant to restore stability to the West African country, which was split into rebel- and government-controlled areas during a 2002 civil war.