Media on Ivory Coast tensions

Ivory Coast media have been looking at the aftermath of the arrest of former rebel leader Ibrahim Coulibaly in Paris and the disclosure of an alleged plot to assassinate President Laurent Gbagbo.

The comments reflect the government-rebel divide but it seems no one is all that happy with the French despite their intelligence coup in capturing some of the alleged plotters.

The ruling Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) newspaper Notre Voie takes a sceptical view of the arrest of Mr Coulibaly, whom the Ivorian media have already taken to calling simply "IB".

As long as IB is in prison, neither peace nor elections nor Marcoussis will be implemented Rebel MPCI

"It is simply irrefutable that France could stop the terrorist aggression on Ivory Coast", the paper says, "if it wants to."

The government daily Fraternite Matin was more charitable. "The French are to be commended for their action", it says, "but we must also remain vigilant."

Dangerous game

The Ivorian rebel MPCI web site is not inclined to commend the French and suggests the French-sponsored peace accords reached at Marcoussis in Paris are in danger.

"Arresting IB is jeopardising Marcoussis." it says. "As long as IB is in prison, neither peace nor elections nor Marcoussis will be implemented."

"And goodbye to French interests," the commentator warns.

Another MPCI commentary feels that France is playing a "dangerous game"

In proceeding with IB's arrest, it says "France just dug up the hatchet which will plunge Ivory Coast into chaos."

Finger pointing

The finger-pointing in Ivory Coast itself was reflected in the country's papers.

"Gbagbo's plot against Marcoussis" is the headline in opposition Ivorian Rally of Republicans (RDR) newspaper Le Patriote.

For the Ivorian Popular Front, this IB affair, a complete fabrication, is an opportunity to get rid of both Marcoussis and the most threatening opponents Le Patriote

"For the incumbent head of state, the only leitmotiv is finding the means to get rid of 'these damned agreements' weakening him.

"For the Ivorian Popular Front, this IB affair, a complete fabrication, is an opportunity to get rid of both Marcoussis and the most threatening opponents."

Le Patriote is doubtful about the arrests of civilians and soldiers linked to IB.

It speaks of a "new psychosis".

"The issue of France foiling a coup plot could well serve as an alibi for a clean-up operation within the army, as the search for accomplices continues."

Ivorian newspaper Le Temps has its own conspiracy theory.

"We must acknowledge that Guillaume Soro, secretary of the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast (MPCI), has remarkable talents as an actor", the paper says.

We will walk, we may fall, but we will get up again and go forward to free IB and Ivory Coast Rebel MPCI

"In fact, according to the information in our possession provided by our French sources," the paper says, "it is mainly Soro Guillaume himself who betrayed IB, together with the French, as well as the Ivorian 'services'."

Dwarf nation

Ivorian independent newspaper Le Journal thinks that infighting among the former rebels is at the bottom of the affair.

"The armed rebellion can barely conceal the imminent implosion that hangs over its head like the sword of Damocles," it declares.

"The crisis is pitching the rebel political arm against its military arm."

Notre Voie believes the situation bodes no good for the country

"They simply want to return Ivory Coast to the state of a dwarf nation at the mercy of the various groups within it."

This view is borne out by a defiant message on the rebel MPCI web site saying that each day IB spends in prison "distances Ivory Coast from peace."

"We will walk, we may fall, but we will get up again and go forward to free IB and Ivory Coast," the rebels warn ominously.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.