ABIDJAN, Sept. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Twelve French soldiers were arrested for a robbery of a Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) branch in Cote d'Ivoire, a spokesman for French military said Monday.

    Colonel Henry Aussavy, spokesman for the French Unicorn Operation in Cote d'Ivoire said about 65 million CFA francs (about 120,000 dollars) were stolen Friday from the BCEAO branch in Man, where the soldiers were stationed, some 570 kilometers west of Abidjan. CFA franc is the common currency of many former French colonies and a few other African countries.

    The soldiers were among the more than 3,000 French troops stationed in the western African country, and were assigned to protect the bank. Aussavy said they were shipped back to France on Monday to face investigation and prosecution.

    France sent troops to the former colony after two years of unrest since a failed coup in 2002. Enditem