Supporters of Ivory Coast's would-be president Alassane Ouattara occupied the country's embassy in neighbouring Mali on Wednesday demanding the exit of Laurent Gbagbo, according to an AFP reporter.

A group of around 40 young Ouattara supporters took control of the embassy and asked diplomatic personnel to leave.

Malian police blocked roads leading to the embassy after a small group of Gbagbo supporters gathered for an apparent attempt to take it back, a Malian police source said.

"We fear clashes," said the source, who requested the Ouattara supporters leave. The occupiers said they occupied the embassy to enforce a strike recently called by Ouattara, which was not widely observed in Ivorian economic hub Abidjan.

"Then Gbagbo's team must leave. We are waiting for the new ambassador appointed by Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara," said Maxime Konan, one of the occupiers.
The majority of Ivorians living in Mali are supporters of Ouattara, the internationally recognised winner of November 28 presidential elections.
Gbagbo has refused to step aside, despite growing international pressure and the threat of military intervention.