BOUAKE, Ivory Coast, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - A public holiday is declared, the president returns to a rebel stronghold, a stadium chants reconciliation, weapons are burnt in a massive pyre, so peace is made in the Ivory Coast.

At least this was the apparent hope of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo who made an emotional return Monday to what had been the main headquarters of rebels pitted against him during a bitter five-year civil war.

BOUAKE, Ivory Coast, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo and Guillaume Soro, a former rebel leader turned prime minister, burnt weapons at a symbolic peace ceremony on Monday as they sought to turn the page on a five-year civil war.

Gbagbo declared the conflict over during his first visit to the former rebel-held north since a 2002 uprising divided the country. Six African leaders attended the ceremony.

'Today it is peace, the war is finished,' declared Gbagbo to a chanting crowd before setting alight a pile of weapons.

BOUAKE, Ivory Coast, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo attended a highly symbolic peace ceremony during a landmark visit Monday to the former rebel-held north, his first since a 2002 uprising divided the country.

He vowed to organise elections soon as he presided over the disarmament and reconciliation ceremony aimed at shoring up the peace agreement he signed with the rebels in March.

'Today it is peace, the war is finished,' declared Gbagbo, repeating the phrase several times.

BOUAKE, Ivory Coast, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo paid a landmark visit Monday to the former rebel-held north -- his first since a 2002 uprising against his rule divided the country.

Gbagbo came to preside over a highly symbolic disarmament and reconciliation ceremony, aimed at shoring up the peace agreement he signed with the rebels in March.

'I am moved, but I am happy. I am happy because the country is united. It is all that I truly sought,' the president told reporters on his arrival in Bouake.

BOUAKE, Ivory Coast, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo on Monday visited the former rebel-held north for the first time since a 2002 uprising against his rule divided the country.

Gbagbo made the landmark trip to preside over a highly symbolic disarmament and reconciliation ceremony, in a new boost to the peace process that he signed in March.

He was met at Bouake airport by the former rebel leader Guillaume Soro, who was appointed prime minister in a new unity government under the peace agreement.

BOUAKE, Ivory Coast, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo arrived Monday in Bouake on his first visit to the former rebel-held north since a 2002 uprising split the country.

Gbagbo made the landmark trip to preside over a highly symbolic disarmament and reconciliation ceremony, in a new boost to the peace process that reunited the country.

A host of African leaders are attending the event, including President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso Faso, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Ghanaian leader and African Union chairman John Kufuor.

ABIDJAN, July 29, 2007 (AFP) - President Laurent Gbagbo will on Monday be in Bouake, the headquarters of the former rebel New Forces (FN), for the first time since a 2002 uprising aimed at toppling him divided Ivory Coast in half.

It was from Bouake that the northern half of this west African country was controlled by rebels for nearly five years.

Gbagbo will preside over a highly symbolic disarmament and reconciliation ceremony, in a new boost to the peace process that reunited the country.