Posted on 04/11/2011 6:21:15 AM PDT by Cardhu
French ground troops have entered the centre of the main Ivory Coast city of Abidjan for the fist time as incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo refuses to quit.
Helicopter gunships are firing in the area around Mr Gbagbo's residence.
On Sunday, UN and French helicopter gunships began a new operation they said was aimed at destroying heavy weapons near Mr Gbagbo's residence.
Mr Gbagbo has been refusing to cede power to internationally-recognised President Alassane Ouattara.
Loud explosions can be heard echoing around the lagoons which surround the centre of the city, says the BBC's Mark Doyle in Abidjan.
On Monday morning, a large column of French armoured vehicles left the French military base in Abidjan.
A spokesman for Mr Ouattara has said his troops were involved as well, and that this was the largest joint attack since the conflict began.
The action will not stop until Mr Gbagbo steps down, the spokesman added.
French helicopter strikes have partially destroyed Mr Gbagbo's residence, one of his ministers said.
But the Ivorian leader was still alive, according to one of his spokesmen in Paris, quoted by Reuters news agency.
An aide to French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said the French strikes are to avoid a "bloodbath" rather than to depose Mr Gbagbo.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Damn you France.
January 20, 2013, Washington, D.C. preview?..............
France24 has now confirmed the news has now been confirmed - Gabagbo has been captured by the French and handed over to the opposition.
Did they also give them a genuine Michelin, or will he get an off brand?
Gbagbo is now at Ouattra’s HQ.
And promptly surrender to an intoxicated vagrant.
France is on a roll. All the French needed to do is elect a short leader!
DeGaulle was tall and a very determined soldier in the field during the Fall of France. The key is to not be led by a Frenchman. Charlemagne was German, Napolean was Corsican, Jean D'arc was not a man.
Now they are back pedaling saying was not the French special forces but are claiming that it was pro-Ouattara forces that captured Gbagbo (LOL)
Why is this a problem?
The people apparently elected a new President and the old one refuses to relinquish power.
The French have major economic interests and residual colonial interests. The orderly transition has failed and the old guy needs to be thrown out. Had the Brits done that in Rhodesia, the suffering from Mugabe could have been prevented.
Would you oppose help from the French to oust Obama after he lost the election?
Yep. I am sure that report is about as reliable as Obama's actions in Libya.
Somebody has to surrender...
Corsican...check
Short...check
Not a man...doubleplus good
Aside from possibly her age Alizee seems to fit the ticket.
Then again how old was Jean D'Arc again?
100% Not Guilty!
Oh, et le ping Lazamataz pour lui baver.
Election fraud by the Mohammedans might just be one reason. Another is that handing power to Mohammedans is like handing power to Communists or Nazi’s.
If you believe that, then I wonder if you'd be interested in purchasing this large tower thing in Paris?
Trust but verfify. (Use Alizee as search term)
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