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Anti-French protests in Comoros Anti-French protests in Comoros
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in the Comoran capital, Moroni, angry at the escape of an ousted leader.Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in the Comoran capital, Moroni, angry at the escape of an ousted leader.
Crowds chanted anti-French slogans outside France's embassy in Moroni after Colonel Mohammed Bacar fled to the French-run island of Mayotte.Crowds chanted anti-French slogans outside France's embassy in Moroni after Colonel Mohammed Bacar fled to the French-run island of Mayotte.
Col Bacar fled the island of Anjouan after government troops and an African Union force invaded the island.Col Bacar fled the island of Anjouan after government troops and an African Union force invaded the island.
He has asked France for political asylum, but the Comoran government has asked France to extradite him.He has asked France for political asylum, but the Comoran government has asked France to extradite him.
The operation against Col Bacar was launched after he refused to step down as president of Anjouan, and accept the authority of the federal government after a disputed election last year.The operation against Col Bacar was launched after he refused to step down as president of Anjouan, and accept the authority of the federal government after a disputed election last year.
The operation followed Col Bacar's refusal to step down after disputed elections last July. The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Moroni says the embassy is being protected by armed Comorian police, keeping the crowd some 200m away.
Anyone who appears to be French is being targeted with one group of young men making throat slitting gestures as they march past whilst others threw stones, our reporter says.
One government official told the BBC "if France is seen to be protecting Mohamed Bacar, God knows what will happen to their representatives here ''.
Amphibious assault
The island of Mayotte is the only one of the Comoros islands to have opted to remain French when the other islands gained independence in 1975 - but it remains a source of contention with both countries claiming sovereignty.The island of Mayotte is the only one of the Comoros islands to have opted to remain French when the other islands gained independence in 1975 - but it remains a source of contention with both countries claiming sovereignty.
In pictures: Comoros assaultQ&A: Comoros rebellion
The BBC's Jonny Hogg says Col Bacar's arrival on the island follows reports last week that he had received backing from individuals on Mayotte during the eight-month political stand-off.The BBC's Jonny Hogg says Col Bacar's arrival on the island follows reports last week that he had received backing from individuals on Mayotte during the eight-month political stand-off.
The government in the Comoros has expressed disappointment that he was able to flee to Mayotte.The government in the Comoros has expressed disappointment that he was able to flee to Mayotte.
A government spokesman warned that if Col Bacar was not returned to face justice it could cause a diplomatic crisis.A government spokesman warned that if Col Bacar was not returned to face justice it could cause a diplomatic crisis.
Amphibious assault
On Wednesday, the Comoros authorities appointed a new transitional leader for Anjouan - the vice-president of the Comoros, Ikililou Dhoinine.On Wednesday, the Comoros authorities appointed a new transitional leader for Anjouan - the vice-president of the Comoros, Ikililou Dhoinine.
In pictures: Comoros assaultQ&A: Comoros rebellion
"Ikililou Dhoinine will be the political authority in Anjouan until a transitional government is set up," a government spokesman told the AFP news agency."Ikililou Dhoinine will be the political authority in Anjouan until a transitional government is set up," a government spokesman told the AFP news agency.
Comoros declared Mr Bacar's election as island president in July illegal.
Mohammed Desara, the Comoran chief of defence staff, said troops were continuing to pursue elements loyal to Col Bacar and secure the island fully.Mohammed Desara, the Comoran chief of defence staff, said troops were continuing to pursue elements loyal to Col Bacar and secure the island fully.
It is not known how many people died in the fighting but Mr Desara said it was certain that at least some of Col Bacar's fighters had been killed.It is not known how many people died in the fighting but Mr Desara said it was certain that at least some of Col Bacar's fighters had been killed.
Government spokesman Abdourahim Said Bakar said a transitional government would be set up by the end of the week and Mr Ikililou was already on his way to Mutsamudu, the island's capital.
About 600 Comoran and AU troops landed in an amphibious assault as dawn broke on Tuesday.About 600 Comoran and AU troops landed in an amphibious assault as dawn broke on Tuesday.
Residents of the island were pictured greeting the government forces with jubilation as they patrolled the streets.Residents of the island were pictured greeting the government forces with jubilation as they patrolled the streets.
The Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean has had a fractious history since independence from France, experiencing more than 20 coups or attempted coups.The Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean has had a fractious history since independence from France, experiencing more than 20 coups or attempted coups.
The three main islands of the archipelago - Grand Comore, Moheli and Anjouan - lie 300km (186 miles) off Africa's east coast, north of Madagascar.The three main islands of the archipelago - Grand Comore, Moheli and Anjouan - lie 300km (186 miles) off Africa's east coast, north of Madagascar.