Comoros rebel leader flees to French-run island

By Ahmed Ali Amir

MORONI (Reuters) - Comorian rebel leader Mohamed Bacar has fled to the French-run Indian Ocean island of Mayotte from nearby Anjouan where Comorian troops had been searching for him, French and Comorian officials said on Wednesday.

Joint African Union and Comorian forces attacked and seized control of Anjouan island on Tuesday to topple Bacar, a French-trained former gendarme who seized power in 2001 and clung on after an illegal election last year.

France's ministry for overseas territories in Paris confirmed late on Wednesday Bacar was on Mayotte but made no further comment.

A senior Comorian government official earlier told Reuters French authorities had told him Bacar was on Mayotte with 11 others.

"The Comorian justice system put out an international arrest warrant a long time ago. We will see whether the French authorities will respect it," he said.

Comorian troops had earlier combed Anjouan, one of three islands in the coup-prone Indian Ocean archipelago, for Bacar after taking part in the first African Union-backed assault to oust a renegade government.

A federal government spokesman had said late on Tuesday that Bacar was thought to be trying to flee by boat to Mayotte disguised as a woman.

Ambulances rushed wounded rebels to hospital on Anjouan on Wednesday and sporadic gunfire was heard. Officials said three rebels were killed and 10 wounded in the clashes.