Japanese ambassador rescued in Abidjan

French forces have snatched the Japanese ambassador to safety from near the besieged presidential residence in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan.

Late on Wednesday, French helicopters moved in to evacuate ambassador Okamura Yoshifumi from his home after it was invaded by unidentified gunmen.

The envoy and his aides were taken to safety at a French military camp at Port-Bouet, south of Abidjan, the French embassy said.

The French said they had acted after a request from Japan and the UN.