Ivory Coast's rebels said today they had been blocked by French troops from advancing east out of the city of Bouake towards the lines of loyalist forces.
|
|
The President of Ivory Coast, Mr Laurent Gbagbo, in Ghana last week
|
"We agreed with the French on a truce for the evacuation of foreigners, but now they are stopping us from moving forwards. That was not part of the agreement and we are protesting," a rebel spokesman said.
French troops opened a security corridor from rebel-held Bouake last week to allow hundreds of foreigners to flee, but forces from Ivory Coast's former colonial power have kept positions on key roads out of Bouake.
West African countries have begun mediation to try to end the 13-day rebellion in which hundreds of people have been killed.