French Paratroopers Land in Capital

French paratroopers poured out of the skies, reinforcing 450 soldiers in Brazzaville, and France was expected to have 1,200 soldiers in the capital of its former colony by today to rescue foreigners caught by fighting. About 350 foreigners were rescued before the evacuation was disrupted by the fifth day of clashes between troops loyal to President Pascal Lissouba and militia members supporting former leader Gen. Denis Sassou-Nguesso. The violence erupted last week when government troops, fearing attempts to disrupt next month’s presidential election, tried to disarm the militia.