ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Heavy arms fire rang out today near Ivory Coast’s presidential residence as the country’s strongman leader remained holed up in a bunker with his family despite efforts to force his surrender.

A spokeswoman for the government of internationally recognized leader Alassane Ouattara said on France-24 television that pro-Ouattara forces had entered the gates of Laurent Gbagbo’s residence.

“At the current moment they have not yet captured Gbagbo but it will happen soon,” Affoussy Bamba said.

Ouattara’s forces have received strict instructions to take him unharmed, said several members of the president’s cabinet.

Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in last year’s election and took his country to the precipice of civil war in his bid to preserve power. His security forces are accused of using cannons, mortars and machine guns to mow down opponents in the four months since Ouattara was declared the winner of the contested vote.