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Abidjan — French peacekeepers have taken control of the airport at Côte d'Ivoire's main city Abidjan as supporters of the country's rival presidents continue to fight for control of the city. Chief of staff spokesman Colonel Thierry Burkhard says the move is to ensure the safety of French nationals and foreigners who want to leave the country.

France has also increased its Licorne peacekeeping mission in the country by 300 to around 1,400 troops.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to hold a cabinet meeting on Sunday to discuss the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. The government has already called for strongman Laurent Gbagbo to stand down immediately.

Côte d'Ivoire's state television on Sunday broadcast a strong anti-French message claiming a "Rwandan genocide is being prepared by Sarkozy's men".

The RTI state television station, controlled by Gbagbo, was briefly captured on Thursday night, before Gbagbo's troops regained control and restored the signal.