Ivory Coast opposition names leader as presidential candidate

ABIDJAN, Apr 18 (AFP): Ivory Coast's main opposition party on Thursday formally named its leader Tidjane Thiam as its candidate for the October presidential election.

The 62-year-old former Credit Suisse bank chief executive was the only contender for the centre-right Democratic Party (PDCI).

Tensions in the wealthy west African country are running high six months from the scheduled polling date.

Businessman and former minister Thiam, who is currently outside of Ivory Coast, had to fend off a row over his nationality, with opponents saying his past French citizenship disqualified him from the contest.