Frightened expatriates flee rebel-held city in Ivory Coast under threat of imminent attack

YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast (AP) -- Thousands of civilians jammed the streets of the rebel-held city of Korhogo on Friday, shouting support for the insurgents as loyalist forces threatened attack. U.S. and French aircraft flew Americans and other foreigners to safety from the country's deadliest rebellion.

Eight days into Ivory Coast's deadliest rebellion, residents in the mutinous northern city of Korhogo dared government forces to carry out President Laurent Gbagbo's promise to attack.

"We have not been taken hostage -- we are with the mutineers!" cried some marchers, waving tree branches and placards.

Under protection of U.S. and French troops, missionaries with their families and other foreigners lined up at an airstrip in Ivory Coast's capital, Yamoussoukro, for evacuation. Adults stood amid piles of baggage. Children dashed about as U.S. soldiers watched, assault rifles ready.

Helicopters and convoys rushed hundreds out of the second rebel redoubt, the central city of Bouake, to the airstrip under a rapidly expiring cease-fire negotiated with rebels to get foreigners to safety. Bouake is about 150 miles south of Korhogo and some 40 miles north of Yamoussoukro.