UN, French copters attack Gbagbo military camp
0 
French army copters fired on a military camp held by the army loyal to Cote d'Ivoire's Gbagbo on Monday in Abidjan, media reported.
A separate report quoted witnesses as saying that the UN helicopters also fired on pro-Gbagbo military camp in Abidjan.
The attack occurred as the camp headed by the country's internationally recognized President Alassane Ouattara declared the final battle to take over control of the world's top cocoa producing country in West Africa.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has allowed French force to participate the military operation in Cote d'Ivoire with UN security force to prevent the forces of Ivorian strongman Laurent Gbagbo from killing civilians, according to a statement issued by the presidency on Monday night.
In a letter addressed to Sarkozy and published by the Elysee Palace, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanded the support of French troop stationed in Cote d'Ivoire to "neutralize the heavy weapons used against civil population and the personnel of the United Nations in Abidjan."
In responding UN chief's request, Sarkozy said in a published replying letter that "I confirm you that I have authorized French force ... to carry out the operation jointly with UNOCI."
French president "has responded positively to this request and allowed the French forces, acting under the mandate given to them by the Security Council, to participate in operations conducted by UNOCI for the protection of civilians," the Elysee Palace said in the statement
UN Resolution 1975, passed in February 2011, authorizes the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) to protect civilians amid violent clashes between forces loyal to incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and his opponent, former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, who was announced as winner of the Ivorian presidential election ending on November 28, 2010.
The Elysee statement also called for "immediate cessation of all violence against civilians," warning that "the perpetrators will be brought to justice."
France has sent 150 more soldiers to Cote d'Ivoire on Monday after an deployment of 300 extra troop to the African country over the last weekend. These additional military forces brought the total number of French soldiers to 1,650 in Cote d'Ivoire.
Presently, over 12,000 French nationals still live in Cote d' Ivoire, but France has announced on Sunday to regroup them at three main sites in preparation for possible evacuation.
Go to Forum >>0 Comments