ABIDJAN - Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has rejected Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga as mediator for the political crisis in the West African country, saying he was biased, media reports said on Wednesday.

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Odinga, a mediator appointed by the African Union (AU), ended his visit to Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday without a breakthrough.

In a statement issued at the end of the visit, Odinga said he did not succeed in persuading Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara to end the seven-week long crisis which has engulfed the West African nation.

Gbagbo has refused to step down, and retains control of government buildings, state television and the security forces. Ouattara is firm in his refusal to speak with Gbagbo until the incumbent cedes power.

After the presidential run-off held on November 28 last year, Ouattara was declared winner by the electoral commission while the Constitutional Council, which has the final say on the results of the poll, said Gbagbo won the vote.

Gbagbo was sworn in as the new president of the West African country by the Constitutional Council, and Ouattara also swore himself in as the president.