Ivory Coast's new president is trying to bring his nation back to normal after a four month-long bloody civil war over an election dispute ousted dictator Laurent Gbagbo. Alassane Ouattara asked fighters to put down their arms, claiming the country has reached "the dawn of a new era of hope." The Associated Press reported that most combat has ceased, although heavy fire could still be heard in some parts of commercial capital Abidjan. The French military helped Gbagbo's opposition end a week-long siege of the leader's residence, finally capturing him on Monday. Accused by the international community of kidnapping, killing and raping his opponents, Gbagbo is being held to stand trial. President Obama commended the French and UN, saying that Gbabgbo's "illegitimate claim to power has finally come to an end," The New York Times reported.
