African Leaders to Meet on Ending Cote d'Ivoire War

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, October 23, 2002

African Leaders to Meet on Ending Cote d'Ivoire War

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Key African leaders are due in Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday to agree on how to move from a truce to a complete end to a month-long war that has left hundreds dead and driven tens of thousands from their homes.

France said it had flown in more troops to its former colony to protect thousands of its citizens and help preserve last week's cease-fire until a regional force can keep rebels and loyalist forces apart during planned negotiations.

South African President Thabo Mbeki is expected in Abidjan to join six leaders of the Economic Community of West African States, which is desperately trying to end a crisis that threatens to spread regional turmoil on a tide of refugees.

The leaders of heavyweight Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Togo and Guinea-Bissau form a contact group on ending the crisis.

The rebels of the Patriotic Movement of Cote d'Ivoire, who signed the truce last week, say their aim is to get President Laurent Gbagbo to resign so new elections can be held.

Many of the insurgents are from northern Cote d'Ivoire, a heavily Muslim opposition heartland which has long complained of discrimination. It has been under rebel control since a September 19 coup failed to overthrow Gbagbo.

Gbagbo has much more solid support in the mostly Christian and animist south, including the main cocoa growing regions of the world's top producer. The army holds the south.

Source: Agencies

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