Protesters denounce Ivory Coast peace deal

More than 100,000 protesters flooded Abidjan yesterday to denounce a French-brokered peace deal for Ivory Coast as West African leaders began a last-ditch rescue mission for the tottering accord.

The march, by far the biggest since the conflict began, was the culmination of a week of often violent protests against a power- sharing agreement that President Laurent Gbagbo's supporters say was forced on him by the former colonial power to the advantage of the rebels.

There was no immediate sign that the previous violence would be repeated, when stone-throwing youths attacked France's embassy and army base and then robbed and spat on hundreds of terrified French citizens.

But there was anger in the messages carried on banners and in the chants from the sea of orange, white and green national colours. "France get out, we don't want you," marchers sang, calling French President Jacques Chirac a "terrorist" for a peace plan that involved giving the rebels key government positions.

The peace deal agreed in France a week ago was meant to end a conflict that threatens the region. It gave key government positions to rebels and Mr Gbagbo's political opponents, who dispute his victory in 2000 elections.