IVORY COAST: French troops evacuate their nationals and help other civilians to safety as heavy shootings flare up
Record ID:
181801
IVORY COAST: French troops evacuate their nationals and help other civilians to safety as heavy shootings flare up
- Title: IVORY COAST: French troops evacuate their nationals and help other civilians to safety as heavy shootings flare up
- Date: 11th April 2011
- Summary: VARIOUS OF FRENCH EVACUEES GETTING INTO TRUCK TO BE TAKEN TO THE FRENCH MILITARY BASE (BIMA) (SOUNDBITE) (French ) FRENCH EVACUEE, MRS TOUAPLE, SAYING: It's a relief, truly, because what we went through in the main square was terrible, heavy weapons fire, shelling, we were five metres from the presidency. It was horrible."
- Embargoed: 26th April 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Cote d'Ivoire
- Country: Ivory Coast
- Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA8VBGCOYKMI9S7R8G26RRCVFXD
- Story Text: French forces in Abidjan moved to help foreigners to safety on Sunday (April 10) as heavy fighting broke out between forces loyal to incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and those of his rival Alassane Ouattara.
The St. Mary's hospital was caught in the crossfire as soldiers battled it out for the control of the city, with rocket propelled grenades and automatic fire.
The number of people who lost their lives in the heavy shelling over the last week is unknown, and the beautiful city of Abidjan, dubbed "the Paris of West Africa", looks like a war zone.
French and UN helicopters attacked heavy weapons belonging to troops loyal to Ivory Coast's incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo also on Sunday (April 10), the UN mission's spokesman said.
A Reuters correspondent at the French military base near the airport, about 15 kilometres from Gbagbo's residence, said he could hear loud explosions coming from the direction of the fighting. He said four helicopters, two UN and two French helicopters were carrying out operations.
A resident of Cocody neighbourhood where the Gbagbo's residence is situated said he could see thick black smoke coming from the residence.
Forces loyal Gbagbo stepped up a counter-attack on presidential claimant Alassane Ouattara by firing on his hotel headquarters in Abidjan on Saturday (April 9). The hotel is guarded by UN forces.
Lawyers for Ouattara in a letter to the French government and the international community on Sunday, asked French and UN forces to eliminate Gbagbo's heavy weapons and militia and bring him to justice. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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