France strengthens military presence

France has further strengthened its 700-strong military presence in Cote d'Ivoire with an 70 additional paratroopers, as the West African country struggles to contain an army uprising that started on 19 September. The troops are in the country mainly to evacuate French and other foreign nationals from areas held by army mutineers, according to the French government. Media sources quoted French Lt-Col Ange-Antoine Leccia as saying that the troop reinforcement was to ensure "the security of the French and all foreigners in the country." US troops are also present in Cote d'Ivoire to protect their citizens and Washington has warned Americans to defer travel to the country. It also recommended in a travel advisory on 26 September that those Americans in the country should leave. Some 2,000 foreign nationals have already been evacuated from the rebel-held towns of Bouake and Korhogo, 350 km and 634 respectively north of Cote d'Ivoire's commercial capital, Abidjan. In a related development, France announced on Friday that it would give "logistical support", including transport and communications equipment, to the Ivorian government to help restore peace, however said it would not get involved in the "ivoiro-ivorian" crisis. On Monday, with the crisis entering its twelfth day, President Laurent Gbagbo met a preparatory delegation from six states expected to mediate between the government and the rebels. The delegation, set up by a special summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday, was mandated to "establish contact with the assailants, make them immediately cease hostilities, bring back calm in the occupied areas and negotiate a general framework for solving the crisis." If mediation fails, ECOWAS said, it may deploy a peacekeeping force. Bouake, which the national army has said will be the target of an "imminent" attack, witnessed sporadic gunshots on Monday night, according to sources in the city. Gunshots also rang out on Monday night and until midday on Tuesday in Tiebissou, 50 km south of Bouake, according to residents. Unconfirmed reports said the army rebels had taken control of this town too.