BREAKING: Yahya Jammeh suddenly begs African leaders for more time as UN officially removes his portrait (video)
A humbled Yahya Jammeh of Gambia pleaded for an extension of time from African leaders who stormed his country in the afternoon of Friday, January 20 for a last-minute talk before a final action.
Jammeh pleaded for more time, according to BBC, despite the fact that his successor had been sworn-in to office on Thursday, January 19.
Some African leaders have reportedly entered Gambia to have final talks with Jammeh
Also, the United Nations has officially de-listed him by officially removing his portrait at its headquarters.
Up to 7,000 soldiers are on standby for an order to forcefully unseat Jammeh, who has sacked all his cabinet members and announced he was taken charge of all the ministries.
This is as sources from the country's seat of power told a BBC reporter that the sit-tight president plans to leave the country for Conakry later in the day.
Watch video of the removal of Jammeh's portrait from the UN headquarters:
The delayed action, it was learnt, was because of the late arrival of some presidents and top officials of the United Nations to the country to have a last-minute talk with the adamant leader ahead of further actions and use of force.
READ ALSO: Scores of residents flee Gambia hours to ECOWAS ultimatum to Jammeh
An online source, Ruth Maclean, reports that Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania, Alpha Conde of Guinea as well as Mohammed Ibn Chambas of the UN are said to have arrived the country through the Banjul airport amid tight security.
Maclean said before now, Jammeh had refused to see Chambas as the world called on him to leave office after his defeat in the December 2016 presidential election.
It is not yet known if Jammeh would finally cave in as the country is already being deserted by residents for fear of being held up amid a possible use of force.
But soldiers from different African countries including Senegal who announced their arrival with series of strikes on Thursday, January 19, are said to be battle ready.
READ ALSO: Jammeh sacks cabinet members as tension continues in Gambia
Some of the soldiers have taken over the Banjul airport where scores of residents are waiting to move out of the country.
Read the tweets from Maclean: