News / Africa
Ivory Coast strongman Gbagbo captured by French forces
11 Apr 2011 at 11:52hrs | Views
French special forces have detained Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo and handed him to leaders of the rebel opposition, after French tanks forced their way into his residence, a Gbagbo adviser in France said.
"Gbagbo has been arrested by French special forces in his residence and has been handed over to the rebel leaders," adviser Toussaint Alain told Reuters.
A French foreign ministry source could not immediately confirm that French forces had detained Gbagbo. "We have no evidence that can confirm that," the source said.
Earlier on Monday a column of more than 30 armoured vehicles advanced towards Gbagbo's residence in Abidjan, a witness told Reuters, and Alain said they had penetrated the building.
"It's French forces taking in the rebels," he said. "French special forces are inside the residence."
"Gbagbo has been arrested by French special forces in his residence and has been handed over to the rebel leaders," adviser Toussaint Alain told Reuters.
A French foreign ministry source could not immediately confirm that French forces had detained Gbagbo. "We have no evidence that can confirm that," the source said.
Earlier on Monday a column of more than 30 armoured vehicles advanced towards Gbagbo's residence in Abidjan, a witness told Reuters, and Alain said they had penetrated the building.
"It's French forces taking in the rebels," he said. "French special forces are inside the residence."
Source - Reuters