The fear is that if he fails to find a way out, rebel groups in the north who support Mr Ouattara will take up arms in protest. It is difficult to see what scope there is for Mr Mbeki to mediate, says our correspondent, as both men are adamant that they legitimately won the poll. When he was president of South Africa, Mr Mbeki helped to mediate a peace deal in Ivory Coast.īut he was seen by the opposition as being uncomfortably close to Mr Gbagbo. The crisis has already led to unrest on the streets of the capital The AU has not said when Mr Mbeki is likely to travel to Ivory Coast, but the BBC's John James in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, says his arrival is being widely discussed. Several countries and international organisations - including the US, UN, France and the IMF - have backed Mr Ouattara as the true winner of last Sunday's run-off. It called on all parties to 'show the necessary restraint and to refrain from taking actions which will exacerbate an already fragile situation'.

In a statement, the organisation rejected 'any attempt to create a fait accompli to undermine the electoral process and the will of the people'. The AU has warned the crisis could have 'incalculable consequences'. Mr Ouattara was initially declared the winner but the result was overturned in the incumbent's favour. Laurent Gbagbo and opposition candidate Alassane Ouattara have both sworn themselves in after claiming victory in a presidential run-off.

The African Union says it is sending former South African President Thabo Mbeki to Ivory Coast to help mediate the current political crisis. The BBC's John James in Abidjan says the situation remains unstable

Thabo Mbeki to mediate in Ivory Coast president crisis

Mirc crack