Ivorian forces smash magical stone

Pro-Ouattara forces destroy a slab of stone believed to give Gbagbo mystical powers.

By REUTERS
In Ivory Coast, where fighting has been raging for months since the contested elections -- magic may count just as much as military might.
This block of stone is believed to give incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo mystical powers.
Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, who the UN says is the elected president, have demolished the stone to take away Gbagbo's strength.
It was hidden in a grassy area along a highway to Abidjan.
Ouattara's troops pulled out dirty rags from under the pedestal. Locals believe that a magician from the island of Sao Tome has put a spell on the cloths.