(CNN) -- After days of heavy fighting, forces loyal to Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo laid down their arms Tuesday, and the self-declared president was negotiating the terms of his surrender, his foreign minister said. Calm was reported Tuesday afternoon in Abidjan, the West African nation's largest city and the center of the battle between Gbagbo's military and those loyal to his rival, Alassane Ouattara, who is recognized internationally as the legitimate president. "We must now do what we can do to have lasting peace," said Alcide Djedje, the foreign minister, who participated in talks at the French ambassador's residence in Abidjan.
@highlight
NEW: Man identified as Gbagbo tells station he won't recognize Ouattara win
@highlight
Gbagbo's forces laid down their arms, his foreign minister says
@highlight
A U.N. official says Laurent Gbagbo has asked for U.N. protection
@highlight
The U.N. envoy to Ivory Coast says combat is over
Laurent Gbagbo
Gbagbo
Gbagbo
Gbagbo
Laurent Gbagbo
"Tragically, the violence that we are seeing could have been averted had @placeholder respected the results of last year's presidential election," Obama said.
Laurent Gbagbo
Gbagbo
Gbagbo
Gbagbo
Laurent Gbagbo
"To end this violence and prevent more bloodshed, former President @placeholder must stand down immediately, and direct those who are fighting on his behalf to lay down their arms."
Alassane Ouattara
Ouattara
@placeholder's forces entered Abidjan on Thursday after an offensive that swept across the country.
Abidjan
Abidjan
Ouattara's forces entered @placeholder on Thursday after an offensive that swept across the country.
Alassane Ouattara
Ouattara
An Abidjan resident said state-run television, which has served as a powerful mouthpiece for Gbagbo, went dark Monday, a sign that @placeholder's forces had overrun the building.