Ivory Coast's former President, Laurent Gbagbo, has returned home after nearly a decade overseas during which was cleared of crimes against humanity.

Hundreds of cheering supporters greeted Gbagbo at Abidjan airport.

Earlier, police fired tear gas to disperse crowds who had gathered on the main road nearby.

Gbagbo's refusal to step down after losing an election in 2010 sparked a brief civil war in which 3,000 died.

His backers say his return will help reconciliation efforts in Ivory Coast.

It is not clear if a 20-year jail term imposed after he was convicted of looting funds from a regional bank will be enforced.