Speaking by phone from his bunker, he said his military were only negotiating a truce and insisted he had won November's presidential election.

Troops loyal to the internationally recognised winner, Alassane Ouattara, swept into Abidjan this week.

The city passed a largely quiet night, apart from shootings blamed on gangs. But its population of four million remained indoors after days of heavy fighting which saw UN and French helicopters attacking Mr Gbagbo's military.

UN mission spokesman Hamadoun Toure said fighting had stopped in the city but there was "sporadic shooting by groups of youths" not allied to the two rival leaders.