ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire - Alassane Ouattara, who has gained international support to replace Laurent as Cote d'Ivoire president, has promised to form a unity government with members of Gbagbo's party if the embattled Gbagbo leaves office first, according to the country's UN ambassador.

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In an interview with BBC which was aired on Monday, Ambassador Youssoufou Bamba also urged Gbagbo to recognize Ouattara as "legitimate president."

Cote d'Ivoire has been in a political impasse since the landmark presidential run-off on November 28. Both Gbagbo and Ouattara claimed victory, swore themselves in as president of the country and formed their respective government.

The Independent Electoral Commission on December 2 released provisional results showing that Ouattara won the election in the second round with 54 percent of the votes.

The country's Constitutional Council, however, immediately declared that the results were invalid and announced Gbagbo as the winner.

The United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have all thrown their support behind Ouattara.

ECOWAS has earlier urged Gbagbo to step down and vowed the use of legitimate force if he fails to heed its immutable demand.