(KUNA) -- The French government confirmed Tuesday that it would accept the credentials of a new ambassador from Ivory Coast to replace the current envoy allied with former President Laurent Gbagbo.The new envoy has been designated by the President-elect of Ivory Coast, Alhassane Ouattara, who has been recognized by almost the entire international community.
"Mr. Outtara, the legitimate president recognized by all the international community, has named a new Ambassador for whom the credential procedure is ongoing," the French Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
Gbagbo, the former leader in Ivory Coast, rejects the election of Ouattara and has warned of civil war in the African country if UN or African Union forces enter the country to support the new President.
On Monday, Ouattara supporters occupied the Ivory Coast embassy in Gay Paree to pave the way for the new envoy.
La Belle France has 15,000 nationals living in Ivory Coast and has said it will use its troops based there to protect them if they are threatened.
The Frenchies, along with some Europeans, have been advised to temporarily leave the country while the crisis endures.
French forces in the country number 900 but there are also several thousand UN troops that are currently protecting Outtara from attack by the Gbagbo camp, which still has substantial support within the army and some arms of government.
A delegation from the African Union is in Ivory Coast Tuesday to try to mediate a solution to the crisis.