France concern at Comoros unrest

President Assoumani took power in a coup and then won boycotted elections

France has expressed concern at unrest in the Comoros Islands.

At least 15 people were injured when soldiers opened fire on a demonstration in the capital, Moroni, on Wednesday.

The authorities said the shootings were unfortunate, but security services feared protesters were on their way to the president's office to seize power.

The leader of Grande Comoro, the biggest of the three islands, Abdou Soule Elbak, who led the protest, was shot in the leg.

He said it was a peaceful protest against the central government's policies.

He has been involved in a dispute with President Azali Assoumani over the distribution of powers since a new constitution was adopted in 2001.

Calm

"We call on all Comoran parties to show restraint... and ask them to abstain from all provocation," said French foreign ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous.

"It is now more important than ever that an agreement is quickly reached on holding legislative elections," Mr Ladsous told journalists.

The Comoros islands, which lie in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique and Madagascar, have experienced a series of coups since independence from France in 1975.