21.   Interior Minister Said Ali Mohammed Allaoui asked for French military intervention to oust the rebels, who took power with the help of veteran French mercenary Bob Denard.

22.   Allaoui had asked for French military intervention to oust the rebels.

23.   Allaoui who is on a visit to France, had asked for French military intervention to oust the rebels.

24.   But later, Russian troops reportedly oust the rebels from the main government building, as federal troops advance on other city centre buildings.

25.   Comoros Interior Minister Said Ali Mohammed Allaoui on Thursday requested French military intervention to oust rebels who have overthrown the government with the help of French mercenary Bob Denard.

26.   Earlier this month Russian forces used helicopter gunships and heavy artillery to oust Chechen rebels from the Dagestani village of Pervomaiskaya where they were holding dozens of hostages.

27.   The rebels were ousted only after a fierce battle and intense Russian bombardment.

28.   When force failed to oust the rebels, they were offered safe passage back to Chechnya and Russia resumed peace talks.

29.   Russian forces were battling Tuesday to oust Chechen rebels from the Dagestani border village of Pervomaiskaya and free dozens of hostages they were holding.

30.   Russian forces called in helicopter gunships and multiple rocket launchers Wednesday to try to oust separatist rebels from the centre of the Chechen capital Grozny, witnesses told AFP.