ABIDJAN, Nov 8: Top generals in Ivory Coast pledged on Monday to work with France to establish stability in the world's top cocoa grower after three days of violent anti-French riots in the main city Abidjan.

The former French colony has been plagued by violence since rebels bent on ousting President Laurent Gbagbo seized the north two years ago and more than 10,000 French and U.N. troops have been sent to keep the two sides apart.

Mob violence erupted on Saturday after France destroyed most of Ivory Coast's small air force, in retaliation for the killing of nine French peacekeepers. In a rapid escalation French and Ivorian troops traded fire in Abidjan and thousands of anti-French marchers took to the streets.

"We flirted with catastrophe," said Ivory Coast's army chief of staff General Mathius Doue after meeting with generals from the French and U.N. forces in the West African country.

"We are calling on all for calm and asking for everything to be done as soon as possible so normal life can resume."

The price of cocoa for December delivery rose sharply in London on Monday by up to 12 percent because of the unrest which paralysed cocoa exports.

French military helicopters clattered overhead and troops fired shots into the air to disperse thousands of pro-Gbagbo supporters who feared Paris was about to topple their leader.

Crowds of young men and women shook their fists at French soldiers and waved Ivory Coast's flag. They later dispersed.

The French commander in Ivory Coast said on state television his soldiers had no intention of ousting Gbagbo, who came to power in disputed 2000 polls, and said he hoped joint French, U.N. and Ivorian patrols would soon bring calm to Abidjan.-Reuters