This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7317896.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
France flies rebel out of Comoros | France flies rebel out of Comoros |
(5 days later) | |
A French military plane has flown Comoran rebel leader Colonel Mohammed Bacar to the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. | A French military plane has flown Comoran rebel leader Colonel Mohammed Bacar to the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. |
Col Bacar fled the island of Anjouan after government troops and an African Union (AU) force invaded on Tuesday. | Col Bacar fled the island of Anjouan after government troops and an African Union (AU) force invaded on Tuesday. |
He escaped to the French-run island of Mayotte and sought asylum there. | He escaped to the French-run island of Mayotte and sought asylum there. |
The Comoran government and the AU have asked Paris to extradite him to face justice, amid anti-French protests in the Comoran capital, Moroni. | The Comoran government and the AU have asked Paris to extradite him to face justice, amid anti-French protests in the Comoran capital, Moroni. |
Police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators near the French embassy in the town on Thursday. | Police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators near the French embassy in the town on Thursday. |
Amphibious assault | Amphibious assault |
Col Bacar and a number of men accompanying him were flown to Reunion on a French military C-160 Transall plane. | Col Bacar and a number of men accompanying him were flown to Reunion on a French military C-160 Transall plane. |
French officials have said he will be placed under investigation for landing illegally on Mayotte in possession of weapons, reports the AFP news agency. | French officials have said he will be placed under investigation for landing illegally on Mayotte in possession of weapons, reports the AFP news agency. |
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 in 2007. | 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 in 2007. |
About 600 Comoran and AU troops took part in the amphibious assault on Tuesday. | About 600 Comoran and AU troops took part in the amphibious assault on Tuesday. |
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. |
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. |
Previous version
1
Next version