Ivory Coast's internationally recognised president Alassane Ouattara yesterday called on soldiers loyal to his rival strongman Laurent Gbagbo to "join" his army, in a televised address.
Meanwhile, Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo's army chief has sought refuge at the home of South Africa's ambassador in Abidjan, South Africa's foreign ministry says.
News of Phillippe Mangou's flight came as the UN-recognised president, Alassane Ouattara, said his fighters were "at the gates" of Abidjan.
"Despite numerous appeals to Laurent Gbagbo and his allies for a peaceful transfer of power, the only response to this outreached hand has been violence," Ouattara said in the speech on his television station.
He said unlike the militia and mercenaries in the pay of his rival, his Republican Forces army "has decided to restore democracy and respect the vote of the people".
Ouattara asked all soldiers to make themselves available to the country.
"It is time to rejoin your brothers-in-arms of the Republican Forces. The country is calling you."
Gbagbo was meanwhile said to be "safe and sound" at home, even after his army chief of staff fled, seeking refuge at the home of the South African ambassador.
Heavy weapons were heard firing near one of the country's biggest military barracks, in the suburb of Adjame, which is loyal to Gbagbo, an AFP journalist reported.
The Agban camp controls access to the administrative suburb of Plateau where the presidential palace is located. The streets of the business district were deserted with only pro-Gbagbo soldiers patrolling on board pick-ups.
Sporadic automatic weapon fire could be heard in Plateau, AFP correspondents noted.
The barracks is also near the residential suburb of Cocody, home to Gbagbo, several diplomats and the headquarters of state-controlled television RTI.