By Ahmed Ali Amir MORONI, March 27 (Reuters) - Comoros demanded on Thursday that France hand over a rebel leader wanted by the Indian Ocean archipelago for crimes against humanity and troops fired teargas to stop protests against the former colonial power. Paris confirmed late on Wednesday that Mohamed Bacar, the self-declared leader of Anjouan island, fled to nearby French-run Mayotte after being ousted by African Union and Comorian forces in a lightning offensive. France, along with the United States, backed the operation to topple Bacar, a French-trained former gendarme who seized power in 2001 and clung on with an illegal election last year in Anjouan -- one of Comoros' three islands. Many Anjouan residents accuse the smooth-talking Bacar of ruling through the threat of violence and suppressing dissent with torture and intimidation. "We have notified France that we want Colonel Mohamed Bacar and all the fugitive rebels to be extradited to Comoros," acting Foreign Affairs Minister Houmadi Abdallah told reporters. "We reminded the French authorities ... that the international arrest warrants against them are still in effect." French officials were not immediately available for comment. As Abdallah spoke, joint AU-Comorian forces fired teargas to disperse crowds which gathered in Moroni, capital of the biggest Comorian island, waving banners denouncing "enemy France". With a history of assassinations, mercenary invasions and some 20 coups or attempted rebellions since independence from France in 1975, Comoros is notorious for its political instability -- which many locals blame on French meddling. Abdouroihamane Soidik, an Anjouanais government worker, was among those accusing Paris of helping Bacar, 45, escape. "We heard that a speed boat took him with his men. In Anjouan, there are no speed boats," Soidik said. "The speed boats in the area are French, which monitor illegal immigrants who want to get to Mayotte." Bastoine Soulaimane, who fled from Anjouan to Comoros' smallest island, Moheli, said: "It is impossible that Bacar can get to Mayotte without the help of France, that is impossible! Everybody here is angry." TENSE TIES Peaceful demonstrations were also reported outside the central bank, which employs a number of French workers, and the French Embassy, where protesters called for Ambassador Christian Job to be expelled. One French national in Moroni said the French school in the capital was abruptly closed because of the protests, leaving several teachers and students stranded inside. France Info Radio said panic had broken out on Mayotte, with angry anti-Bacar demonstrators taking over the pier at the island's main town, Mamoudzou, preventing boats from travelling. Comoros blames Paris for setting a dangerous separatist precedent which has plagued the spice and perfume-producing islands since Mayotte voted in 1974 to stay with France. Meanwhile, islanders are still bitter that French soldier-of-fortune Bob Denard, who was involved in four coups and attempted coups in Comoros, did not face justice on the islands before his death in October. Denard claimed to enjoy covert French support for operations meant to retain France's influence in its former colonies. Despite turbulent ties between the two nations, France remains Comoros' major trading partner, buying much of its ylang-ylang -- a flower whose oils are used in aromatherapy. One of the world's most indebted nations, Comoros is home to some 700,000 people. (Additional reporting by Paris bureau and Ed Harris in Port Louis; Writing by Katie Nguyen; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Mary Gabriel) (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ )
Comoros commandos stand on guard in the streets of Anjouan island March 26, 2008. Comorian rebel leader Mohamed Bacar has fled to the French-run Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, a Comorian ...
