France plans major troop withdrawal from Côte d'Ivoire

France has decided to pull out half of its 1,800-strong contingent in Côte d'Ivoire, drastically reducing a military presence that has repeatedly come under attack from supporters of the ruling party in the west African country.

"The security risk in Côte d'Ivoire has abated and waiting for elections whose timing remains uncertain no longer justifies the maintenance of a full military presence," Prime Minister François Fillon told parliament during a debate on France's foreign missions in late January.

France said it will withdraw an additional 200 personnel that it contributes to the 8,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission in the country (UNOCI), sending home a total of 1,100 troops, Fillon said.

The 'Licorne' mission - 'unicorn' in French - intervened in the 2002-03 civil war as rebels seized the northern half the country following a failed attempt to topple President Laurent Gbagbo.

The French involvement in the conflict was heavily criticised by government supporters, who accused Paris of neo-colonialism. Rebel leaders also condemned the mission, claiming the French had stopped them from ousting Gbagbo and taking over the commercial capital, Abidjan. At the height of the conflict, 'Licorne' had more than 4,000 troops deployed across the country.

The withdrawal begins in March and should be completed in June, the head of the 'Licorne' mission, General Philippe Houbron, told Jane's . The mission will reduce the size of several combat units and slash the number of helicopters and transport aircraft. 227 of 479 words