Rebels clashed on Monday with French forces in Ivory Coast’s war-torn West, firing mortars at positions held by French troops, a French army representative said.
”We faced attacks by rebels on foot on two roads,” Major Frederic Thomazo said. ”We have no details of casualties at the moment.”
The attacks took place near Duekoue, a strategic town situated at the junction of two main roads leading to the central city of Daloa to the east and south to the coastal port of San Pedro.
Rebels have clashed several times there with French troops, sent to protect French citizens and other foreigners in the rich cocoa- and coffee-producing West.
The French are dug in around the town, manning checkpoints with anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers.
Monday’s attacks come just two days after French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin visited Ivory Coast and won promises from the government and main northern rebel movement that they would respect a shaky cease-fire and take part in peace talks in Paris on January 15.
But two other rebel factions operating in the West have not agreed any truce and did not meet the French minister during his whirlwind trip.
These two factions operate around Duekoue and hold the city of Man. – Sapa-AP