The Israeli foreign Ministry confirmed reports that Israel had asked for French assistance in evacuating its diplomats from the Ivory Coast.
The Israeli embassy in Abidjan is located in an area of intense fighting. Some four Israeli diplomats are still in the country. A ministry spokesman said that the Israeli embassy was by no means a target, but that the whole area right now is not a "comfortable place" to be in.
The French assisted in the evacuation of Japanese diplomats in a similar situation.
In addition to the diplomats, some 18 other Israelis -- believed to be businessmen -- are in the country and have chosen to remain. Another 200-300 have left in recent weeks as the country slid into chaos.
