ICoast-army Ivory Coast armed forces warn of danger of dividing them ABIDJAN, Sept 20 (AFP) - The Ivory Coast armed forces on Wednesday slammed political elements they said were trying to divide them and so put the nation in danger. In a declaration read by the armed forces chief of staff, General Soumahila Diabakate, the members of the armed forces collectively asked "that the armed forces be left out of the political manoeuvring so that their cohesion is preserved in the greater interest of Ivory Coast". The call was made after Monday's attack by a group of soldiers on the home of military ruler General Robert Guei, which Guei described as an assassination attempt. The attack on Guei's house came as Ivory Coast prepares to hold presidential elections October 22, aimed at restoring a civilian government after the coup of December 24 that brought Guei to power. The declaration described the attack as an "ignoble act made even more serious by the fact that it was perpetrated by elements of the presidential guard". The commanders of the armed forces and the police reaffirmed their loyalty to Guei and their committment to see the transition process back to civilian rule run its course. Division within the armed forces have seen at least two mutinies this year before Monday's attack on Guei's residence which has led to the arrest of more than 20 members of the armed forces. so/sa/crl/jh ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------