The Gambia's long-term leader Yahya Jammeh said he will step down, after refusing to accept defeat in elections, according to the BBC.

In an announcement on state TV, he said it was "not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed".

The statement followed hours of talks between Mr Jammeh and West African mediators. He gave no details of what deal might have been struck.

Jammeh has led the country for 22 years but was defeated in December's election by Adama Barrow.

Barrow has been in neighboring Senegal for days and was inaugurated as president in the Gambian embassy there on Thursday.

Troops from several West African nations, including Senegal, have been deployed in Gambia, threatening to drive Jammeh out of office if he did not agree to go.

Source: MENA