Ouattara supporters take over Ivory Coast`s Paris embassy
Baku, December 28 (AZERTAC). Supporters of Ivory Coast`s internationally accepted president Alassane Ouattara peacefully took over their country`s Paris embassy on Monday after loyalists of rival Laurent Gbagbo left.
The takeover came after Paris said it would recognize Mr. Ouattara`s envoy over that of embattled strongman Mr. Gbagbo, who has clung on to power since a disputed November 28 presidential vote.
"We did not damage anything, we just removed Gbagbo`s portrait from the wall," said Marcel Youpeh, who represents the pro-Ouattara group RHDP in France.
"We no longer recognize those who were named by Gbagbo, they must go. What`s more France no longer recognizes them either. Ivorians have come to say they`ve had enough."
The ambassador`s post, in the capital of Ivory Coast`s former colonial power, is seen as head of one of the most important diplomatic missions. On Sunday, French authorities grounded a plane belonging to Mr. Gbagbo at a French airport following a request by Mr. Ouattara. France still has significant business interests in the West African nation.
Three West African heads of state are due to arrive in Ivory Coast on Tuesday in a last-ditch attempt to persuade Mr. Gbagbo to relinquish power. If he does not, the African regional body Ecowas has said it will consider taking military action to remove him.
Mr. Gbagbo took to the airwaves over the weekend to denounce what he called a French-US "plot" against him. He says the election was stolen by his opponents and has refused to quit office. Amid outbreaks of violence, there are fears of civil war.
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