EU lifts sanctions against iconic Gbagbo-era figures

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union has lifted more sanctions slapped on associates of former president Laurent Gbagbo this year to end a damaging standoff in Ivory Coast.

Notable among those struck off a list of Ivorians targeted by an asset freeze and travel ban is Paul Yao N'Dre, the head of the Constitutional Council who originally proclaimed Gbagbo winner of a November poll against Alasanne Ouattara, the internationally recognised winner of the election.

Also de-listed from EU sanctions in the bloc's Official Journal is pro-Gbagbo businessman Roland Dagher.

The 27-nation EU began to lift sanctions against Ivorian individuals and businesses when Ouattara finally took power as president in April following post-poll unrest from December.

After Gbagbo refused to admit defeat and hand over power to Ouattara, the crisis culminated in weeks of warfare. Gbagbo was captured and is now under house arrest in the north of the country.

Two oil firms have also been removed from the list, the Societe Ivoirienne de Raffinage and Societe Nationale d'Operations Petrolieres de la Cote d'Ivoire.

Those struck off the list also include Nathanael Abouman Brouha, Timothee Ahoua N'Guetta, Jacques Andre Daligou Monoko, Bruno Wale Ekpo, Felix Tano Kouakou, Hortense Kouassi Angoran, Josephine Suzanne Toure, Hilaire Babri Gohourou, Zakaria Fellah, Charles Kader Gore and Kadio Morokro Mathieu.