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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Troops leave for Comoros assault | Troops leave for Comoros assault |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Five boats full of soldiers have left a port on the Comoros island of Moheli, a diplomat says, ahead of an operation to retake the island of Anjouan. | Five boats full of soldiers have left a port on the Comoros island of Moheli, a diplomat says, ahead of an operation to retake the island of Anjouan. |
| A group of 1,500 African Union troops is supporting the Comoros federal government in its dispute with renegade Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar. | A group of 1,500 African Union troops is supporting the Comoros federal government in its dispute with renegade Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar. |
| It refused to recognise the re-election of Mr Bacar in June 2007. | It refused to recognise the re-election of Mr Bacar in June 2007. |
| Anjouan is reportedly tense but calm. Luggage trolleys are on the airport's runway to prevent any aircraft landing. | Anjouan is reportedly tense but calm. Luggage trolleys are on the airport's runway to prevent any aircraft landing. |
| The island of Moheli, is only about 50km from Anjouan. | The island of Moheli, is only about 50km from Anjouan. |
| Tanzanian and Sudanese forces are on board the boats, alongside Comoran soldiers. | Tanzanian and Sudanese forces are on board the boats, alongside Comoran soldiers. |
| Countdown | Countdown |
| Civilian flights to Anjouan and Moheli have been suspended, by the federal government. | Civilian flights to Anjouan and Moheli have been suspended, by the federal government. |
| Neither the African Union nor the Comoran authorities are commenting. | |
| The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Comoros says the federal president Ahmed Sambi is expected to publically authorise the use of military force in a televised address this evening. | The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Comoros says the federal president Ahmed Sambi is expected to publically authorise the use of military force in a televised address this evening. |
| I am still determined to defend Anjouan Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar In pictures: Comoros exercise | I am still determined to defend Anjouan Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar In pictures: Comoros exercise |
| AU troops took part in a beach-landing exercise on Sunday. | AU troops took part in a beach-landing exercise on Sunday. |
| Each of the Comoros federation's three islands has its own president, but Mr Bacar's re-election was declared illegal by the central authorities. | Each of the Comoros federation's three islands has its own president, but Mr Bacar's re-election was declared illegal by the central authorities. |
| In an interview on Thursday, he said he would not step down. | In an interview on Thursday, he said he would not step down. |
| "I am still determined to defend Anjouan despite my concern that people are ready to come here and fire on the Anjouanese. But I am continuing with my preparations to defend Anjouan," he told AFP news agency. | "I am still determined to defend Anjouan despite my concern that people are ready to come here and fire on the Anjouanese. But I am continuing with my preparations to defend Anjouan," he told AFP news agency. |
| He is estimated to have about 300 troops at his disposal. | He is estimated to have about 300 troops at his disposal. |
| There have been 19 coup attempts and several secessionist uprisings in the three-island archipelago since independence from France in 1975. | There have been 19 coup attempts and several secessionist uprisings in the three-island archipelago since independence from France in 1975. |