LOC15:29
12:29 GMT
PARIS, Dec 28 (KUNA) -- The French government confirmed Tuesday that it
would accept the credentials of a new ambassador from Ivory Coast to replace
the current envoy allied with former President Laurent Gbagbo.
The new envoy has been designated by the President-elect of Ivory Coast,
Alhassane Ouattara, who has been recognized by almost the entire international
community.
"Mr. Outtara, the legitimate president recognized by all the international
community, has named a new Ambassador for whom the credential procedure is
ongoing," the French Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
Gbagbo, the former leader in Ivory Coast, rejects the election of Ouattara
and has warned of civil war in the African country if UN or African Union
forces enter the country to support the new President.
On Monday, Ouattara supporters occupied the Ivory Coast embassy in Paris to
pave the way for the new envoy.
France has 15,000 nationals living in Ivory Coast and has said it will use
its troops based there to protect them if they are threatened.
The French nationals, along with some Europeans, have been advised to
temporarily leave the country while the crisis endures.
French forces in the country number 900 but there are also several thousand
UN troops that are currently protecting Outtara from attack by the Gbagbo
camp, which still has substantial support within the army and some arms of
government.
A delegation from the African Union is in Ivory Coast Tuesday to try to
mediate a solution to the crisis. (end)
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KUNA 281529 Dec 10NNNN