(CNN) -- The self-proclaimed president of Ivory Coast has agreed to remove a military blockade around his winning rival's headquarters, an envoy mediating the standoff said Wednesday.
The move by Laurent Gbagbo comes after talks with African mediators this week to break the political standoff that has left Gbagbo clinging to power despite international pressure for him to step down.
Gbagbo appeared to be softening his stance, said Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and has agreed to lift the military blockade surrounding the temporary headquarters of Alassane Ouattara, the president-elect.
"The information I have is that he will lift the blockade," said Odinga, the African Union envoy for the mediation effort. "He called the head of the military in our presence and asked him to lift the embargo, and I'm assuming that has happened". CNN
