BBC News with Neil Nunes

Portugal has asked the European Union for emergency financial aid to help it deal with its debts. In a televised statement, the Prime Minister Jose Socrates said calling in foreign assistance was now essential.

"I always said asking for foreign aid would be the final way to go, but we have reached the moment where the country is at too much risk that it shouldn't be exposed to."

The European Commission said Lisbon's request would be dealt with as quickly as possible. Here's Andrew Walker.

For weeks now, the financial markets have expected Portugal to need rescue loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. That view was reinforced last month when the government resigned after parliament refused to back proposals for further austerity measures, and now the caretaker Prime Minister Jose Socrates said that Portugal will seek help. The details will have to be negotiated, but it's likely that the EU and the IMF will agree to provide loans. The amount is expected to be in the region of $100bn.

The besieged leader of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, has remained in hiding in his residence in Abidjan as supporters of his opponent Alassane Ouattara tried all day to force him out. Mr Ouattara's officials say their troops have been given orders to take him alive. From Abidjan, here's Andrew Harding.

So much for an end to the fighting here, across Abidjan the thud of heavy weapons and another furious battle around the presidential compound of Laurent Gbagbo. Trapped in his bunker, he had seen on the brink of a negotiated surrender, but this morning, the talks collapsed, French mediators accusing Mr Gbagbo of impossible stubbornness. Patrick Achi, spokesman for the elected President Alassane Ouattara, said force was now the only solution. These are critical times for Ivory Coast. A quick negotiated exit for Mr Gbagbo might just have helped stabilise the situation.