ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire - Forces loyal to Cote d'Ivoire presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara seized two towns in the heart of the western cocoa belt overnight, in an offensive that may enable them to move toward a major port.

Witnesses and fighters from both sides said on Tuesday that the former rebels, who have controlled northern Cote d'Ivoire since the civil war of 2002-2003, had seized Daloa from incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo's troops.

They also took Duekoue, potentially opening up a route to the major exporting port of San Pedro.