Ivory Coast rebel chief starts diplomatic drive

Guillaume Soro, the Ivory Coast's rebel leader, began a diplomatic offensive today as Laurent Gbagbo, the president of the country, called on thousands of foreigners who fled unrest in the West African country to return.

The world's top cocoa grower plunged into crisis two weeks ago when government forces bombed the rebel-held north, shattering an 18-month ceasefire and raising fears of a full-blown war that would suck in neighbouring states.

Former colonial power France wiped out most of the country's air force after an air raid killed nine French troops, prompting days of anti-French mob violence that led almost 7 000 expatriates to flee the country.

"I understand that they are scared when a country has convulsions. Everyone seeks shelter and especially seeks shelter for their children," Gbagbo told French radio in comments broadcast today, calling on foreign businessmen to return. "I think it is in both their interest and in the interest of Ivory Coast. Because what do you want them to do in France after working their whole lives in Ivory Coast?" he said.

French diplomats say 60-70% of the French population fled their former colony in the violence, over a thousand of them plucked from homes by the army, although thousands more with dual nationality have stayed behind.

Rebel leader Soro was due to meet Albert Tevoedjre, the UN special representative, in the northern rebel stronghold of Bouake today to discuss the crisis. Soro, who has said Gbagbo's government must be forced to cede power, will then travel to Togo today, Ghana tomorrow and South Africa on Saturday.

Gbagbo and members of the country's power-sharing cabinet including Seydou Diarra, the prime minister, gathered at the presidential palace in Abidjan for their first meeting since the government offensive in the north. Opposition officials said some of their representatives might not attend for security reasons.

The UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Ivory Coast on Monday. Gbagbo said his army would not immediately need new weapons if the sanctions were strictly enforced against the rebels, but he has pledged to rebuild his air force and told French radio he would eventually create a "real army" for the country. - Reuters