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Côte d’ivoire’s former President Laurent Gbagbo has denied charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as his landmark trial began at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The charges relate to the country's civil conflict that erupted after Mr Gbagbo lost elections in 2010.

Prosecutors accuse him of orchestrating a "campaign of violence".

Mr Gbagbo, 70, and ex-militia leader Charles Ble Goude, 44, deny murder, rape, attempted murder and persecution.

The trial at the court in The Hague, in the Netherlands, could last three or four years.

As it began, Mr Gbagbo appeared relaxed, smiling and shaking hands with his defence team.

The BBC said he steadied himself on his desk as he replied "not guilty" as the charges were read.

ICC's history

The international court was established to end impunity and bring the most powerful leaders to justice.

The first trial of a former head of state is testament to the prosecutor's reach.

During the pre-trial press briefing the victims' representative was asked how she could represent the victims when only half of those who had suffered would have their voices heard.

This high-profile trial will test the ability of the ICC to obtain reliable evidence from a country in which the government has a political interest in securing a guilty verdict.

Mr Gbagbo sparked a crisis in Côte d’Ivoire after he refused to step down following his loss to Alassane Ouattara in the 2010 presidential vote.

There were bloody clashes between rival forces over five months in 2010 and 2011.