French Save Japanese Diplomat In Ivory Coast

French forces have rescued Japan's ambassador to the Ivory Coast after troops loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo attacked the diplomatic residence.

Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura, along with seven of his staff, had taken shelter inside a safe room at their embassy, according to a French armed forces spokesman.

The French troops launched the rescue mission, attacking military vehicles belonging to Mr Gbagbo, at the residence near the presidential palace in Abidjan.

Mr Gbagbo, who lost a presidential election last year but refuses to relinquish power to the UN-backed claimant Alassane Ouattara, remains holed up in the palace.

Ivory Coast's Alassane Ouattara greets UN general

Alassane Quattara (l) has the backing of the UN forces

The rescue came as forces loyal to Mr Ouattara laid siege to Mr Gbagbo's bunker but failed after being confronted with fierce resistance.

French armed forces spokesman Thierry Burkhard said pro-Gbagbo loyalists had set up rocket launchers on the roof of the Japanese embassy.

"The Japanese authorities asked the United Nations to act and Unoci (The UN mission in Ivory Coast) asked (French troops) as it has the means to evacuate," he said.

Japanese ambassador to the Ivory Coast Mr Yoshifumi Okamura seen through night vision optics onboard a French helicopter

Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura seen through night vision camera

The French forces, who were shot at, used a helicopter to airlift the Japanese officials to safety.

"The French forces fired back in self defence, destroying at least one armoured vehicle and two pick-up trucks," Mr Burkhard said.

No soldiers were injured but one of the Japanese officials was hurt in the rescue.

A pro-Ouattara fighter of the FRCI (Republican Force of Ivory Coast), wearing a gas mask

Pro-Outtara fighters control vast swathes of Ivory Coast

Mr Ouattara's forces had tried to storm the Gbagbo residence in the upscale Cocody neighbourhood on Wednesday after talks led by the UN and France to secure Gbagbo's departure failed.

But they were pushed back by heavy weapons fire, a western diplomatic source who lives nearby said.

The former colonial power in Ivory Coast, France has taken a leading role in talks to persuade Mr Gbagbo to hand over to Mr Ouattara and end the standoff over the contested election last November.

Ivory Coast Fighting
Ivory Coast Fighting red chevron
Anti-Laurent Gbagbo troops prepare for final assault on Presidential Palace.

A UN spokesman in New York said negotiations with Mr Gbagbo's camp were continuing, but it was not clear if they would lead anywhere, especially as Mr Gbagbo himself told French radio he had no intention of stepping down.

Helicopters commanded by the UN peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast bombarded Mr Gbagbo's heavy weapons stockpiles earlier this week, including those near his residence.

Analysts believe Mr Ouattara's forces, who swept south last week in a lightly contested march toward Abidjan, could struggle to best Gbagbo's remaining presidential guard and militias.

Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo

Incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has proved more resilient than expected

"Just like in Libya, it's going to take both the rebels and outside forces to push Gbagbo out," said Sebastian Spio-Garbrah, an analyst at DaMina Advisors in New York.

Mr Gbagbo has ruled Ivory Coast since 2000 and blames France for supporting the north of the country in the civil war of 2002-2003, with rebels from that war now making up the bulk of Mr Ouattara's force.

Last year's long-delayed election in the world's top cocoa producing nation was meant to draw a line under the civil war.

But Mr Gbagbo's refusal to give up power has plunged the country into violence that has killed more than 1,500 people.

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[thanhutehy]

Pray for Japan ! ! ! from Viet Nam

[rickypow04]

THANK YOU　FRANCE！！！　from　JAPAN

[burtoncaly]

@rickypow04 日本とフランスは友達の国ですよ。日本は素晴らしい国です。僕は­フランス人、だからすみません,僕の日本語はかんぺきじゃありま­せん。^^



[rickypow04]

@burtoncaly.Merci beaucoup.I was impressed by your message. Thank you very much.