Ivorian rebels discuss merger

" We've been approached by the other groups to form an alliance since some of their aims are the same as ours "
Tuo Fozie, MPCI leader

The talks have begun in Bouake, the stronghold of the main rebel group, the Patriotic Movement of Ivory Coast ( MPCI ) - which holds the largely Muslim northern half of the country.

The other two rebel groups - the Movement for Justice and Peace (MJP) and the Popular Ivorian Movement for the Far West (MPIGO) - are based in the west and have already merged.

The meeting is also considering Saturday's clash between French soldiers and MPIGO fighters advancing on government troops in the strategic western town of Duekoue.

The French Foreign Legion destroyed three lorries and killed a number of rebels at a checkpoint - the first time in this conflict they have used force to stop an offensive.

Long-term presence

MPIGO spokesman Felix Doh accused the Foreign Legionnaires of taking sides in the conflict and ambushing his men.

The BBC's Paul Welsh in Ivory Coast says the western rebels are ready to take on the French and are now trying to persuade the MPCI to join them.

The MPCI has described the French troops in the country as "forces of occupation".

But the French army - which is in Ivory Coast to protect foreign nationals and enforce a fragile ceasefire between the MPCI and the government - says it remains neutral in the conflict.

The legionnaires deny any responsibility for the clash in Duekoue, and say the rebels fired first.

However the head of the French armed forces, General Henri Bentegeat, said on Sunday that Paris was ready to keep a big force for years in the former colony, in an effort to end the war.

"There is no question of setting off to reconquer Ivory Coast. The solution is political and our role is to help the political resolution of the crisis," said General Bentegeat - who has been visiting troops in Ivory Coast.

Our correspondent says the rebels would be "bound to lose" any battle with the well-equipped and well-trained French.

Non-committal

The MPCI launched its offensive against the government of President Laurent Gbagbo in September.

Its leader, Tuo Fozie, is cautious about the prospect of combining all rebel forces.

"We've been approached by the other groups about an alliance since some of their aims are the same as ours," Mr Fozie said on Sunday.

"We've promised to study the document thoroughly before giving an answer."

But our correspondent says that it may not suit Mr Fozie to merge with the western rebels, while the MPCI is continuing political negotiations with the government.

"It's in his interests to have these other rebel groups in the west picking away at the Ivory Coast Government," he said.

France has more than 1,500 troops in Ivory Coast.

They were initially mandated as a buffer force to maintain the ceasefire signed on 17 October by the government and the MPCI.

Inconclusive peace talks between the two sides have been held in neighbouring Togo.