The world's only permanent war crimes court on Wednesday delayed the opening of the highly-anticipated trial of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo until January.

The International Criminal Court said it was postponing the trial of Gbagbo and his militia leader Charles Ble Goude from November 10 to January 28 to give judges more time to examine reports into the former leader's health. In a twist, the decision came the same day his bitter rival Alassane Ouattara won a second term in office.