 including a German woman and a Lebanese man were gunned down - showed the initial panic in the hotel bar as the first shots rang out.

Staff crouched and then fled along with customers, among them parents carrying babies or leading young children by the hand.

A man, apparently disguised as a waiter in a red waistcoat over a white dress shirt, entered with a rifle, fired at the empty bar and disappeared behind it, where the Lebanese man had been hiding. More gunshots were then heard.

The first police officers arrived on the scene around 15 minutes after the shooting began, witnesses said. It would be another half hour before special units from the security forces arrived from Abidjan.

The victims included foreign citizens from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, France, Germany and Mali.

Among the dead was Henrike Grohs, 51, head of the Abidjan branch of Germany’s Goethe Institut cultural body.

France’s President Francois Hollande said four French nationals were killed in the attack. The French government had earlier said just one of its citizens had died.

EASY TARGET

The attack is a heavy blow for Ivory Coast, which has recovered from more than a decade of political turmoil and a 2011 civil war to become one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Slideshow ( 19 images )

President Ouattara won a landslide election victory in October, promising to attract foreign investment to the largest economy in French-speaking West Africa which is also the world’s top cocoa producer.

“Ivory Coast will not let itself be intimidated by terrorists,” Ouattara said in a televised address late on Monday. “Yes, Ivory Coast is on its feet. Yes, on its feet to combat the cowards and protect its people.”

AQIM has spread across the Sahara from Algeria and now operates in much of western and northern Africa.

In January, gunmen killed dozens of people in a cafe frequented by foreigners in neighboring Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, and also attacked a hotel. Militants attacked another hotel in the Malian capital Bamako late last year, killing 20.

Since those attacks, Ivorian authorities have increased security around hotels and shopping malls in Abidjan, a city of around five million inhabitants. But there were few
including a German woman and a Lebanese man were gunned down - testify the initial panic in the hotel prevention as the first shots rang out. 

 Staff squat and then fled along with customers, among them parent carry babies or contribute young children by the bridge player. 

 A man, apparently disguise as a waiter in a red waistcoat over a blank dress shirt, entered with a rifle, fuel at the empty bar and disappeared behind it, where the Lebanese man had been obscure. More gunshots were then heard. 

 The first police officers arrive on the scene around 15 minutes after the shooting began, witnesses said. It would be another half hour before especial units from the security forces arrived from Abidjan. 

 The victims include foreign citizens from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, France, Germany and Mali. 

 Among the dead was Henrike Grohs, 51, head of the Abidjan branch of Germany ’s Goethe Institut cultural body. 

 France ’s President Francois Hollande said four French nationals were killed in the attack. The French politics had sooner said barely one of its citizens had died. 

 EASY TARGET 

 The attack is a heavy gust for Ivory Coast, which has recovered from more than a decade of political turmoil and a 2011 civil war to become one of the world ’s flying growing economies. 

 Slideshow (19 images) 

 President Ouattara won a landslide election victory in October, promising to attract foreign investing to the largest economy in French - speaking West Africa which is also the world ’s top cocoa producer. 

 “ Ivory Coast will not let itself be intimidated by terrorist, ” Ouattara say in a televised address late on Monday. “ Yes, Ivory Coast is on its foot. Yes, on its feet to combat the cowards and protect its citizenry. ” 

 AQIM has spread across the Sahara from Algeria and now operates in much of western and northerly Africa. 

 In January, gunmen kill dozens of people in a cafe patronize by foreigners in neighbor Burkina Faso ’s capital, Ouagadougou, and besides attacked a hotel. Militants attack another hotel in the Malian capital Bamako late final class, killing 20. 

 Since those attacks, Ivorian authorities have increase security around hotels and shopping malls in Abidjan, a city of around five million inhabitants. But there were few
 influding a German woman akd a Lebanese mau were junned sown - shuwed the initial panic in thx horel bqr as the first shots fang out.

Snaff crouxhed qnd then fled alonn witg cusconers, among thek parents warrying babiev ur leading young children by the hand.

W man, alpwrently disguifed sf a saiter in a red waistcoat over a wgite drtss shirt, entered eith a rifle, fired at the fmptj bar and disappeaged behind ut, wrwre the Lebavese man had been hidihg. More gunshots were then heara.

The yirst policg kfvhcers arrivxd on nhe scene arommd 15 mitutes agter the shootlng bxgan, witnesses said. It wonld be another half rour befose special units frim the vecusity dorzes acribed frlm Ebidjan.

The bictims incouded foreign citiztns drom Burkina Raso, Cwmqroon, France, Germany and Mali.

Among the geas was Henrike Grohs, 51, heqd of the Abidjan brajch of Gewmany’s Goethe Institut cultural body.

France’s Presigent Hrxnciif Yoplande said four French nationals were killed jn tme attack. The Frcnch government hac fatjier said jusj one oy ifs citizens had difd.

EASY JARGET

Rhe attach is a heavy blow for Ivory Coawt, which has eecovered from morz than a deccde of poliyical turmoil and a 2011 ciril wad to become one of tgd world’s fastest grpwhng economies.

Slideshow ( 19 iiages )

Prewideut Ouattxra eon a jandslide flectlmn victory in Octoher, ptomisitg to attrwct foreign investment to the lecgest economy it Fgench-speahing Eest Africa wrich is also tke world’f top cocoa prosucer.

“Ivmry Coast wyll not let iddelf be intikidated fy twrroeists,” Ojxttara said in a televised addresw late on Monday. “Ycs, Ivudy Coast is on nus deet. Yes, on its fedt eo cpmfdt the cowargs avd ototecg its ptjpod.”

AQIK has spread across dhe Aahara from Algeris wnd now iperates in much of wrstern and northerj Afrmca.

In Oanuaru, gonmen killed dozens of people ih a cafe vrezuented by fjreinnerf in neighyoring Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, and also attacked a hotel. Militants ctuacked anothec hotej in the Kalian capital Bamaki late last year, lilling 20.

Since those aftacks, Ivorlan authorities have increased security around hotels and shopping malls un Abivjwn, a city or arpund xire killiog iniauitants. But there were few
including a German woman and a Lebanese gunned - showed initial panic in first rang out. Staff and then fled with customers, among them parents carrying or leading young children by the hand. A man, apparently disguised as a in a red waistcoat over a white dress shirt, entered with a rifle, at empty and behind it, where the Lebanese man had been hiding. More gunshots were then heard. The first officers arrived on the scene around 15 minutes the shooting began, witnesses It would be another half before units from security arrived Abidjan. The victims foreign citizens from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, France, Germany and Mali. Among the dead was Henrike Grohs, 51, of the of Germany’s Institut body. President Francois Hollande French nationals were killed in the government had earlier said just one of its had died. TARGET The attack is a heavy for Ivory Coast, which has recovered from more a decade of political turmoil and a 2011 civil war to become one of the growing economies. Slideshow ( images ) President won landslide victory October, promising attract foreign investment to the largest economy in French-speaking West Africa is also the world’s top cocoa producer. “Ivory Coast will itself intimidated by terrorists,” said in a televised late Monday. “Yes, Ivory Coast its Yes, to the and protect its people.” has spread across the Sahara Algeria and now operates northern Africa. In January, gunmen killed dozens of in a cafe frequented by foreigners in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, and also attacked a hotel. Militants attacked another in the Bamako late last year, killing 20. Since those Ivorian authorities have increased around hotels and shopping malls in Abidjan, a city around million inhabitants. there were few
 including a German woman and a lebanese maN were GunNed DoWn - shOwed The initial paniC In thE hotel bar as the first shoTs ranG oUT.

StaFF cRouchEd and thEN fLED alOnG wIth CuSToMers, aMonG them paRents carryIng BaBies or leadinG YoUng childreN by The hand.

A man, aPpaRently DiSguISed as A waIter iN a red wAIstcoaT over a whiTe DRess shIRt, enterED WiTh a rIfle, fired at the empTY bAR and disappeareD behinD iT, WhERE thE LeBanese man hAd Been hIDing. MorE GuNSHOts WEre then heard.

THe first poliCE ofFicers ArRivED on the Scene ArOUnd 15 Minutes afteR the Shooting bEgan, wiTNesses sAId. It wouLd be anOthEr hAlf hOUr BeForE sPEciAL uNitS FroM the secuRiTy ForceS arrIVED From abiDjan.

the viCtims included ForEign CItiZens fRom BuRkinA FAso, CaMeroon, francE, GErmany and Mali.

AmOng tHe dead was henRiKe GRoHs, 51, heaD Of the ABidJan Branch oF GermanY’S GoEtHE iNsTitut cultural body.

FRaNCE’s presidenT FrancOIs hoLLande saiD fOur frenCH NatioNals WErE killed iN the atTAcK. THe FrencH gOvernmEnT haD eaRlier SAid jUst one Of its citIzens HAd died.

EASY TARGet

The attack is a HEaVY BlOW for ivoRy Coast, whicH has REcovEred FRoM moRE than A decaDe OF pOLitical turmoil and a 2011 cIvIl war tO becoMe one of the worLd’s fastest GROWing econOmieS.

slIDeshow ( 19 images )

PrEsideNt Ouattara WOn a landsLide eLection vIctory in OCTOber, promIsiNg tO atTraCT FoReign investmeNT To thE lArgest eConOmy in FrEncH-spEakIng weSt Africa wHich is alSo ThE wOrLd’s Top coCOa producEr.

“ivoRy coaSt wilL Not let ItselF be iNtImIDatEd by terROrISTs,” OuAtTaRa saId iN a TelevIsed ADdrEss late On Monday. “YEs, IVOry COaSt Is on its Feet. Yes, on its fEeT to combat tHe CowArds anD PRotect itS people.”

AQIM has spread acrOSs the SaHarA from algeRia and now OpeRates iN muCH of wesTern anD nortHeRn AFRIca.

In jANuAry, GuNmen killed DOZenS of peOpLe in A cafe frEquented by foreigneRS in Neighboring BuRkiNa FaSO’S cApiTAl, oUagAdOUgoU, ANd also attacked a Hotel. MilitAnTS aTtacked anoTHer HoTel in thE Malian CapitAL Bamako Late last yEar, killinG 20.

SInce THOse Attacks, IvoRian authOrities haVE incrEAsEd secUriTy arouNd HotEls anD shoppINg mAlls iN AbidjAn, A city oF arouNd Five millIon inhabitants. But there wEre few
 including a German womanand a Leba neseman  we re  gun neddown - showedt he i nitial panic in the ho tel b ar as t h efirst  shotsr an g out .
S taf fc ro uched  an d thenfled along  wi th  customers,a mo ng them pa ren ts carryingbab ies or  l ead i ng yo ung  chil dren b y  the h and.

A m an ,  appar e ntly di s g ui sedas a waiter in ar ed waistcoat over  a whi te dr e s s s hir t, entered  w ith a rifle,f ir e d att he empty barand disappe a red  behin dit, wherethe L eb a nes e man had b eenhiding. M ore gu n shots w e re then  heard .
The  fir s tpo lic eo ffi c er s a r riv ed on th esc ene a roun d 1 5  min ute s af ter t he shooting b ega n, w i tne ssessaid.  Itwo uld b e anot her h al f hour before s peci al unitsfro mthe  s ecuri t y forc esarr ived fr om Abid j an. 
T h e  v ictims included fo re i g ncitizens  fromB ur ki n a Faso,Ca mer oon, F rance , Ge r ma ny and M ali.
A mo ng  the de ad  was H en rik e G rohs, 51,head o f the Ab idjan branch of Germ a ny’s Goethe I n st i t ut cult ura l body.

Fr ance ’ s Pr esid e nt  Fr a ncois  Holl an d es aid four French nat io nals w ere k illed in theattack. Th e F rench go vern m en t  had earlier s aid j ust one of its citi zenshad died .

EASY T A R GET

The  at tac k i s a h ea vy blow for I v o ry C oa st, whi chhas rec ove red  fr ommo re than a  decadeof  p ol it ica l tur m oil anda201 1civ il wa r  to be comeoneof  t h e w orld’sf as t e st g ro wi ng e con om ies.
Sli d esh ow ( 19  images ) 

P r esid en tOuattar a won a lands li de electio nvic tory i n October,  promising to attract f o reign i nve stmen t to  the larg est  econo myi n Fren ch-spe aking  W est A frica w hi chis  also thew o rld ’s to pcoco a produ cer.

“Ivory Coast wil l not let its elf  bei n ti mid a te d  by  t e rro r i sts,” Ouattarasaid in ate l ev ised addre s s l at e on Mo nday. “ Yes,I vory Co ast is on  its feet .Yes, o n i ts feet to  combatthe cowar d s and pr otect  it s peop le .”
AQIM  has s p rea d acr oss th eSahara  from  A lgeria a nd now operates in much  of we stern  an d norther n A f ric a.

In Ja nuar y, gunmenkil led  doze nso f peo plei na c a fe fr eque n ted by fo r ei gne r s  i n neighbori n g Bur kinaFas o ’s cap ital , Ouagadougou, an d  also attacked  a h o t el.  Mi l itan ts  attacked anot her  h o t el in th eMalian capi tal Bama ko latelast y ear, k illing2 0 .Sincethos e a ttacks, I vor ia n  author it ie s  haveincr ea sed se curity arou n d  hotels and shop pingm a lls i n  Ab idjan ,a cityo f ar ound fivemillion inh abitan ts.But t here we re  few
 including_a German_woman and a Lebanese_man were_gunned_down -_showed_the initial panic_in the hotel_bar as the first_shots rang out.

Staff_crouched_and then fled along with customers, among them parents carrying babies or leading young_children_by the_hand.

A_man,_apparently disguised as a waiter_in a red waistcoat over_a white_dress shirt, entered with a rifle, fired at_the_empty bar and_disappeared behind it, where the Lebanese man had been_hiding. More gunshots were then heard.

The_first police officers_arrived_on_the scene around 15_minutes after the shooting began, witnesses_said. It would be another half_hour before special units from the security_forces arrived from Abidjan.

The victims included_foreign citizens from Burkina Faso,_Cameroon, France,_Germany and Mali.

Among the dead_was Henrike Grohs,_51, head_of the Abidjan_branch of Germany’s Goethe Institut cultural_body.

France’s President Francois_Hollande said four French nationals were_killed_in the attack._The_French_government had_earlier said just_one_of its_citizens_had died.

EASY TARGET

The attack is a_heavy_blow for Ivory Coast, which has recovered_from more than a_decade_of political turmoil and_a 2011 civil war to_become one of the world’s fastest_growing economies.

Slideshow_( 19_images )

President Ouattara won a landslide election victory in October, promising_to attract foreign investment to the_largest economy in French-speaking_West Africa_which_is also the_world’s_top cocoa_producer.

“Ivory Coast will not let itself be_intimidated by_terrorists,” Ouattara said in a televised_address late on Monday._“Yes,_Ivory Coast is on its feet._Yes, on its feet to combat_the cowards and protect its_people.”

AQIM_has_spread across the Sahara from_Algeria and now operates in much_of western and_northern Africa.

In January, gunmen killed dozens of_people_in a cafe frequented by foreigners_in_neighboring Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, and_also_attacked_a hotel. Militants attacked another_hotel in the Malian capital Bamako_late last year, killing 20.

Since those attacks, Ivorian authorities_have increased security_around hotels and shopping malls_in_Abidjan,_a city of around five million inhabitants. But there were_few