A swearing-in ceremony for President Laurent Gbagbo was expected to take place Saturday in the Ivory Coast, despite international concerns about whether he rightfully won a recent runoff election. Gbagbo was expected to be sworn in at noon Saturday, Ivorian national television reported. Tensions heightened Friday as the country's Constitutional Council declared incumbent Laurent Gbagbo the winner of last Sunday's presidential runoff. That conclusion contradicted results that had been reported Thursday by the Independent Electoral Commission. The electoral panel had named Gbagbo's rival, former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, the winner. The United States, the United Nations, France and several other European countries had extended their congratulations to the opposition candidate. But on Friday, Paul Yao N'Dre, the Constitutional Council president, told reporters that after tossing out votes in seven regions that were marred by irregularities, Gbagbo had won with slightly more than 51% of the vote to Ouattara's 48%. In a written statement, U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated Ouattara, saying "the United Nations have all confirmed this result and attested to its credibility." He warned Gbagbo, "The international community will hold those who act to thwart the democratic process and the will of the electorate accountable for their actions." French President Nicolas Sarkozy also congratulated Ouattara for "his victory" in a statement. Sarkozy appealed to Gbagbo and all Ivorian military and civilian officials to respect the will of the people, refrain from any action likely to provoke violence and cooperate in establishing sustainable reconciliation, peace and stability in the Ivory Coast. The African Union also expressed concern about the election results. "Ivorian officials and political leaders must put the interests of (the Ivory Coast) and its people above any other consideration, and demonstrate a high sense of responsibility," the group said in a statement.