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France Gathers Citizens in Ivory Coast

   VOA News  April 04, 2011
   French troops patrol a street in Abidjan on April 1, 2011.

Photo: AFP / Issouf Sanogo

   French troops patrol a street in Abidjan on April 1, 2011

   France has started rounding up its citizens in Ivory Coast's main city,
   Abidjan, in anticipation of heavy fighting between forces of rival
   presidents.
   The French foreign ministry says citizens are being brought together at
   three protected sites around the city. They include a French military
   camp in Port Bouet, the Wafou hotel in the south and the French embassy
   in the north.
   There are roughly 12,000 French citizens in Abidjan. French Defense
   Minister Gerard Longuet said Sunday that officials are considering a
   mass evacuation, but no decision has been announced.
   France also said Monday that it is sending another 150 troops to help
   protect civilians in Abidjan. That will bring the total number of
   French troops in Ivory Coast to about 1,650.
   On Sunday, French forces took control of the Abidjan airport.
   This, after weekend battles continued between forces loyal to
   internationally recognized President Alassane Outtara and incumbent
   leader Laurent Gbagbo.

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