IVORY COAST: French soldiers evacuate journalists from the Novotel in violence-torn Abidjan

Record ID: 181648

  • Title: IVORY COAST: French soldiers evacuate journalists from the Novotel in violence-torn Abidjan
  • Date: 8th April 2011
  • Summary: ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST (APRIL 7, 2011) (REUTERS) JOURNALISTS COMING OUT OF THE NOVOTEL HOTEL FRENCH TANK FROM THE LICORNE FORCE IN HOTEL PARKING LOT VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS WAITING TO BE EVACUATED VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS COMING OUT OF HOTEL PARKING LOT VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS AND OTHER CIVILIANS FROM THE HOTEL GOING INTO FRENCH BUS FRENCH TANK WAITING FOR ESCORT VARIOUS OF JOURNEY OF THE CONVOY MOVING
  • Embargoed: 23rd April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cote d'Ivoire
  • Country: Ivory Coast
  • Topics: War / Fighting,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAEOVFB67MM70YI5TF7ISLH73SI
  • Story Text: French military forces in Ivory Coast evacuated foreigners and Ivorians, including journalists, from a hotel in Abidjan on Thursday (April 7).
    Ivory Coast has been plunged into violence by presidential incumbent Laurent Gbagbo's refusal to step down after his opponent, Alassane Ouattara, was declared the winner in a November presidential election by the United Nations.
    Forces loyal to Ouattara laid siege to the incumbent's residence on Thursday (April 7) after an attempt to pluck him from his bunker encountered fierce resistance.
    Since the battle for the city began a week ago, people were gradually left with no food, some with no water or electricity.
    Lawlessness is also rife in many parts of the city, with shops and offices being looted.
    Gbagbo has ruled Ivory Coast since 2000 and blames France for supporting the north of the country in the civil war of 2002-03. Rebels from that war now make up the bulk of Ouattara's force.
    Last year's long-delayed election in the world's top cocoa producing nation was meant to draw a line under the civil war but Gbagbo's refusal to give up power has plunged the country into violence that has killed more than 1,500 people
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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