Côte d’Ivoire/ Extraction of Japanese ambassador
Côte d’Ivoire
Libya
Côte d’Ivoire/ Extraction of Japanese ambassador
Our embassy in Abidjan issued a communiqué last night regarding the extraction of the Japanese ambassador:
At the request of the Japanese authorities, and with President Obama’s full consent, given that the life of the Japanese ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire was in imminent danger after pro-Gbagbo militias had invaded his residence and placed heavy weapons on the roof, threatening neighboring missions and the civilian population, the UN Secretary-General asked France to urgently intervene in order to protect lives.
In response to these requests, the Licorne force intervened this evening to extract the Ambassador and his staff, one of whom was injured, from the Japanese residence. They are now safe and in a secure environment at the military camp at Port-Bouet.
The rescue operation drew fire from pro-Gbagbo forces in and around the presidential residence, notably directed at the French residence which was infiltrated, thus justifying the fact that our helicopters returned fire. This action took place under difficult conditions but was successful.
1. Is there still no claim of responsibility or lead in the case of the two French nationals kidnapped on Monday together with a Benin national and a Malaysian?
2. Was the French ambassador’s residence affected during the most recent fighting?
3. Are you planning evacuations? How many refugees (French and foreign) are there at the 3 reception centers?
Our embassy is fully mobilized in order to locate our compatriots under the difficult circumstances of which you are aware.
As the communiqué issued by our embassy in Abidjan indicates, shots were fired toward the French residence which was infiltrated, thus justifying the fact that Licorne force helicopters returned fire.
Our compatriots have the possibility of taking, on a voluntary basis, French army planes to Dakar or Lomé. To date, 1,183 people, including nationals from various countries, have, at their request, been taken to these locations.
What is the composition of the Contact Group on Libya? Regarding the meeting of the Contact Group on Libya on April 13 in Doha, do you have a few more details about this event?
As the Ministre d’Etat stated to the Senate this morning, the Contact Group, which has a rotating presidency, is due to meet in Doha on April 13.
This is an important meeting which falls within the framework of the process initiated in Paris and then in London in order to ensure political command of the international action in support of the Libyan people.
The list of participants is currently being finalized.