Supporters of internationally recognized President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara appealed to the EU requesting to open the port of San Pedro through which cocoa beans are exported from the country.

Sanctions were imposed against former President Laurent Gbagbo not to let him get income from cocoa export.

At the moment strategic port is controlled by the forces loyal to Ouattara, BBC reports.

Earlier forces backing Ouattara surrounded presidential residence in Abidjan where Gbagbo was sheltering in a bunker.