ABIDJAN (AFP) - Forces backing Ivory Coast's internationally recognised leader Alassane Ouattara battled their way into the economic capital Abidjan on Thursday in a bid to oust strongman Laurent Gbagbo. Residents, fearing a final showdown, locked themselves in their homes as Ouattara made a final plea to his rival's soldiers to change sides and the opposition said several generals had defected. "There is still time to join your brothers. The country is calling you," said Ouattara, who has been unable to take power since being elected in November, leading to a bloody crisis which has left 494 people dead, according to the UN. Meanwhile, a UN envoy said police and gendarmes had deserted Gbagbo and that the blockade of Ouattara base's in Abidjan had ended. Speaking in a televised address, Ouattara said his troops were at the gates of Abidjan, a city of four million people and Gbagbo's last remaining stronghold. Automatic weapons fire was heard around the deserted administrative district of Plateau.