Africa News
French in Abidjan to be assembled immediately, says Sarkozy
Apr 3, 2011, 17:57 GMT
Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday decided the entire French community of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast needs to assemble 'in order to ensure their protection', the presidency said.
The presidency announced the decision in a short statement after a meeting with ministers over the worsening situation in Abidjan, home to most of Ivory Coast's 12,000-strong French community.
'He decided to assemble without delay all the French nationals of Abidjan to ensure their protection,' the statement said.
He also spoke during the meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon to demand the full implementation of the mandate of the United Nations mission in Ivory Coast on protecting civilians, the statement said.
No other details were immediately available, including whether France was about to begin evacuations from the city, control of which is currently being fought over between forces loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo and his internationally backed rival Alassane Ouattara.
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