Ivory Coast arrests man suspected of link to Grand Bassam hotel attack

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast authorities arrested a man on Thursday suspected of transporting weapons for an attack that killed 19 people at the beach resort of Grand Bassam in March, according to national television. "The driver who transported the weapons was arrested Thursday. He is currently being interrogated in the police station," said a presenter on national television. No other details were given. Reuters could not immediately verify the statement and the police were not available for comment. Gunmen shot swimmers and sunbathers before storming into several hotels in Grand Bassam, 40 km (25 miles) from the commercial capital, Abidjan, on March 13. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack. About 17 people have been arrested in connection with the attacks, although the suspected ringleader, Kounta Dallah, remains at large. (Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly; Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Peter Cooney)