ABIDJAN,
Ivory Coast - The chairman of a regional body representing 15 countries
in West Africa said that Ivory Coast had been suspended from their
organization.
The
suspension, announced by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, comes as
Ivory Coast's incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo continued to refuse
stepping down following an election the U.N. says he lost.
Ivory
Coast's electoral commission released results last week indicating
Gbagbo had lost to opposition leader Alassane Outtara. The results were
certified by the U.N. but Gbagbo defiantly went ahead with a shotgun
inauguration and has ignored calls from world leaders to stand down.
The
15-nation Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS,
said in a statement Tuesday they recognize Ouattara as president and
call on Gbagbo to "yield power without delay."
