French soldiers pulled out of Ivory Coast's main international airport in Abidjan today after taking control of the site more than two weeks ago to help evacuate thousands of expatriates from mob violence in the city.
"We've given back the airport. We still helping with the security of the runways and the perimeter," said Colonel Henry Aussavy, spokesman for 5,000 French soldiers deployed in the West African country.
French forces took up positions around the airport and other key points in the commercial capital to help evacuate more than 8,000 foreigners fleeing unrest in the world's top cocoa grower.
Normality has started to return to much of Abidjan since the violence ended, although French soldiers still patrol some residential neighbourhoods popular with expatriates.