The end of Laurent Gbagbo is a Strong Signal to dictators: Obama welcomes Gbagbo capture. AFP, 11 Apr. 11

The detention of Côte d'Ivoire's former president, Laurent Gbagbo, sends a "strong signal" that dictators around the world may not ignore the results of free and fair elections or the consequences of their continued efforts to cling to power.

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama on Monday welcomed the captured of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo and called on militia groups to lay down their arms to boost hopes of a democratic future.

"The United States welcomes the decisive turn of events in Cote d'Ivoire, as former President Laurent Gbagbo's illegitimate claim to power has finally come to an end," Obama said in a written statement.

"This represents a victory for the democratic will of the Ivoirian people, who have suffered for far too long through the instability that followed their election.

"Today, the people of Cote d'Ivoire have the chance to begin to reclaim their country, solidify their democracy, and rebuild a vibrant economy that taps the extraordinary potential of the Ivoirian people."

Obama issued his statement after Gbagbo was arrested by forces loyal to his elected rival for the presidency, Alassane Ouattara, after weeks of political tension exploded into violence.

Gbagbo, who has held power since 2000 and stubbornly refused to admit defeat in November's presidential election, was detained and taken to his rival's temporary hotel headquarters with his wife Simone and son Michel.

The US president said that Washington, along with the rest of the world, strongly backed the results of Ivory Coast's election and commended UN and French forces for actions they took to protect civilians.

"For President Ouattara and the people of Cote d'Ivoire, the hard work of reconciliation and rebuilding must begin now," Obama said in a long statement.

"President Ouattara will need to govern on behalf of all the people of Cote d'Ivoire, including those who did not vote for him.

"All militia groups should lay down their weapons and recognize an inclusive military that protects all citizens under the authority of President Ouattara," he said, adding that victims of political violence needed accountability

The end of Laurent Gbagbo

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the detention of Côte d'Ivoire's former president, Laurent Gbagbo, sends a "strong signal" that dictators around the world may not ignore the results of free and fair elections or the consequences of their continued efforts to cling to power.

Speaking with Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb April 11, Clinton called for calm in the country following the news that Gbagbo is now in the custody of Côte d'Ivoire's elected president, Alassane Ouattara, and urged the Ivoirian people to "contribute to building a peaceful future for their country."

"Now the hard work begins," Clinton said, and the United States looks forward to "working with President Ouattara as he implements his plan for reconciliation, economic development and recovery."

Gbagbo's capture ends a political crisis that began after he refused to hand over power to Ouattara, who had won the country's presidential election in November 2010. The four-month standoff since then has devastated the country's economy, created a humanitarian crisis and refugee situation that threaten the stability of neighboring countries, and led to the deaths of hundreds of Ivoirian citizens.

"This transition sends a strong signal to dictators and tyrants throughout the region and around the world. They may not disregard the voice of their own people in free and fair elections, and there will be consequences for those who cling to power," Clinton said.

U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Susan Rice said in an April 11 statement that the people of Côte d'Ivoire deserve peace, democracy and a government that "recognizes their fundamental human rights and respects their will."

They also deserve a return to "the path of prosperity and security," she said, adding that that opportunity "begins today."

She said the United States will stand with the people of Côte d'Ivoire and help them to recover and rebuild, while also supporting United Nations efforts to provide peacekeeping and humanitarian work in the country.

Rice also said the Obama administration is "profoundly concerned" about human rights abuses and condemns "persistent violations" that have occurred against civilians during the political crisis.

She expressed support for President Ouattara's "affirmation of the need to investigate those who have perpetrated attacks."

"All parties should be aware that the actions of their supporters will be scrutinized, alleged human rights abuses and attacks against civilians will be investigated, and perpetrators will be held accountable without regard to which side they may have been aligned," she said.

The State Department's acting deputy spokesman, Mark Toner, said April 11 that the United States believes Gbagbo should be held accountable for his actions and urged a peaceful transition in the country.

"Côte d'Ivoire has now turned a corner. They've got a way forward. They have a president who is elected and now is the time for calm and transition," he said.

With the end of Gbagbo's reign, President Ouattara can finally assume the power he won through the November elections and "become the rightful president of Côte d'Ivoire," Toner said.

"He has a reconciliation plan. He's got a plan for the future of Côte d'Ivoire that we believe is a good one and frankly it's satisfying to see that the Ivoirian people can now finally have a peaceful democratic transition that has escaped them thus far," he said.