I.Coast ex-president Gbagbo at international court

Ivory Coast ex-leader Laurent Gbagbo at a pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. By Michael Kooren (Pool/AFP)

THE HAGUE (AFP) - Laurent Gbagbo's pre-trial hearing on charges of crimes against humanity opened at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, with the former Ivorian leader present.

Presiding judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi opened the confirmation of charges hearing while Gbagbo, the first former head of state before the court, greeted journalists and supporters in the gallery.

Wearing a dark blue suit and a light blue tie, Gbagbo sat behind defence lawyers and appeared to be in good health.

The court has given Gbagbo the option of following proceedings via video link because of his physical and psychological ill health.