PARIS - France says it is considering granting political asylum to a deposed former rebel leader sought by Comoros who managed to reach the French island of Mayotte.
Government troops, backed by African Union forces, regained control of Anjouan's capital this week after ousting Col. Mohamed Bacar, who had claimed the presidency of the Comoran island and spoken of seeking its independence.
In Paris, the ministry that manages France's overseas territories said Thursday that Bacar is now on Mayotte and that France is considering his request for asylum. The ministry did not say how Bacar reached Mayotte and said it had no further information that it could make public. Mayotte is 40 miles from Anjouan.
Comoros soldiers had been searching for Bacar, who ruled Anjouan starting in 2001. Comoros is an archipelago of three main islands, including Anjouan, 250 miles off Africa's southeast coast.
