Ivory Coast 'in open crisis'

2003-01-03 14:18

Paris - The situation in the Ivory Coast following a deadly helicopter attack by government forces is in "open crisis", French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin told the newspaper Le Parisien for its Friday edition.

"It is a situation in open crisis with a double risk: aggravating the internal situation and destabilising the entire region," de Villepin said.

"In the north, we are witnessing ceasefire violations; in the west, battles," he noted. "At the same time, threats to human rights are multiplying."

Some 2 500 French troops are deployed in the former French colony to maintain a fragile ceasefire between troops loyal to the government of President Laurent Gbagbo and rebel groups.

The ceasefire was seriously threatened by Wednesday's helicopter attack on the rebel-held fishing village of Menakro, in which 12 civilians died and several others were injured.

One of the rebel groups, the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI), threatened on Thursday to go on an all-out offensive in response to the attack, while the French government condemned it and demanded an explanation from the government.

Fighting broke out in the West African country on September 19 when some 75 soldiers mutinied over plans to demobilise them.

De Villepin was set to leave Paris for the Iviorian capital Abidjan on Friday for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with Gbagbo as well as representatives of the various rebel groups.

"France is mobilised and wants to mobilise the entire international community to put an end to this dangerous spiral," de Villepin said. - Sapa-DPA

- SAPA