ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Thousands of pro-government Ivory Coast demonstrators took to the streets of the nation's commercial capital, Abidjan, Thursday to protest rebel actions.
The United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks said the protestors were upset with the continued occupation of the northern part of the nation, despite an agreement signed in France last January to unite the country.
Wearing T-shirts bearing orange, green and white colors of the Ivorian flag with slogans reading "We are tired" and "Disarmament is the priority," the protestors marched to Place de la Republique near President Laurent Gbagbo's offices.
Demonstration speakers called for the resignation of independent Prime Minister Seydou Diarra, whom they accused of being a "friend of the rebels."
Last week, rebels withdrew from the disarmament process, retreated to their base in the center of the country and renewed a call for Gbagbo to resign.
The Ivory Coast was plunged into war in September of last year when mutinous soldiers started a rebellion. They seized control of the northern half of the country and have since retained control of that area.
