Ivory Coast Security Unrest Continues, Lebanon Seeks UN Aid to Help Evacuate Lebanese Residing in Abidjan

Local Editor

In light of the current clashes between the troops of Ivory Coast's former President Laurent Gbagbo and those of the country's internationally recognized President Alassane Ouattara to take over the city of Abidjan, the French troops declared on Sunday its control over Abidjan's airport in order to help evacuate foreigners.

In this context, Lebanon's Ambassador to the UN, Nawaf Salam, urged the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to deploy more UN troops in Ivory Coast cities, in which most of the Lebanese community resides.
Salam hoped the UN would help the Lebanese in Abidjan overcome the violence-surrounded situation.

Many Lebanese officials called upon the UN to take measures and help the Lebanese people in the Ivory Coast.
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri on his part, asked Ambassador Nawaf Salam, during a telephone conversation, to deliver a message to UN Secretary General on behalf of Lebanon, urging the deployment of more troops in the areas where Lebanese people are besieged.
Berri also contacted Qatar which promised to help evacuate and transfer the Lebanese people from Abidjan to Beirut.

On another hand, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman held intensive talks with several countries, mainly France, requesting the French troops to protect the Lebanese community.
Families of the Lebanese people stranded in Ivory Coast held a sit-in on Sunday outside the Foreign Ministry in Beirut, demanding a quick interference to resolve the crisis reaching their relatives.

On this level, Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Shami announced that the Lebanese government and officials are doing their best to resolve this issue, promising to find a quick solution in this regard.

Many Lebanese foreigners in many countries around the globe said they're willing to send private airplanes to Abidjan to help the Lebanese people evacuate the African country.

According to media sources, hundreds of Lebanese who were present in the French barrack in Abidjan were transported to Togo, and will be followed with several other groups as the French barrack can no longer accommodate new refugees from France, Lebanon, and other countries.