Ouattara returns to Abidjan

The forum is intended to reduce tension

The main opposition leader in Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, has arrived back in Abidjan, ending his self-imposed year-long exile.

Thousands of cheering supporters welcomed him at the airport after his flight from Libreville, Gabon.

The Ivorian people are pinning their hopes on reconciliation. We need to make sure that reconciliation has the chance to succeed

Alassane Ouattara

Mr Ouattara, a former Ivorian prime minister, is returning to take part in a national reconciliation forum.

He had previously refused to go back to the country until his Ivorian nationality was confirmed by the government.

The Ivory Coast Supreme Court barred Mr Ouattara from standing in presidential elections last year on the grounds that his nationality was uncertain - a ruling he contests.

Street protests

Speaking on the BBC's Focus on Africa from Libreville, Mr Ouattara said he had been persuaded by regional leaders, as well as by his own party, that his voice should be heard at the forum.

The forum is designed to reduce political tension in Ivory Coast - once a beacon of peace and prosperity in west Africa.

In 1999, the government was overthrown in a coup by General Robert Guei, who then attempted to rig elections a year later.

Ouattara is going home after a year in exile

Massive street demonstrations brought President Laurent Gbagbo to power.

But during the chaos, many Muslims and northerners were killed because they were suspected of supporting Mr Ouattara and his RDR party.

He left Ivory Coast shortly afterwards and stayed in France.

Mr Ouattara also said that his decision to return had been influenced by the fact that General Guei had now taken part in the forum.