Ivory Coast leader Ouattara meets rival, says crisis ‘behind us’

Ouattara met Gbagbo a decade after Ivory Coast’s deadly post-electoral violence that killed more than 3,000 people.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara offered a hearty welcome to his predecessor Laurent Gbagbo on Tuesday as the rivals met for the first time since the West African country’s deadly 2010-11 conflict. Gbagbo, 76, has leapt into the spotlight since returning last month from Europe, where he won a landmark case at the International Criminal Court (ICC). “Cordial and fraternal meeting with my young brother Laurent Gbagbo. We will work to build confidence for the benefit of our country,” Ouattara posted on Twitter.