Abidjan — The National Electoral Commission in Cote d'Ivoire has announced that Laurent Gbagbo, the leader of the Ivorian Popular Front, has won Sunday's controversial presidential election with 59,36% of the vote, with a reported 37% turnout.

The ousted former military leader General Robert Guei received 32.72%, the announcement said. The Commission, which was sacked by Guei shortly after he proclaimed himself president on Tuesday, was reinstated by Gbagbo on Wednesday, when it continued counting and collating the votes.

Gbagbo's swearing in was set for later on Thursday. He indicated that he was prepared to include members of the rival Rally of the Republicans led by Alassane Ouattara, who was excluded from the presidential poll.

Ouattara has called for a re-run of the elections which he said was flawed. His supporters clashed with Gbagbo loyalists in Abidjan, the major city, and Gbagbo has called for Ouattara to appeal for calm.

Ouattara, a former Prime Minister and International Monetary Fund official, fled his house earlier Thursday after it came under attack by paramilitary police and pro-Gbagbo youths. He took refuge in the German Ambassador's residence next door to his home.