France sends troops to CAR
France has sent 350 soldiers to the Central African Republic, whose capital Bangui has been taken by rebels, to ensure the security of French nationals and other foreigners, a senior official said Sunday.
France has sent 350 soldiers to the Central African Republic, whose capital Bangui has been taken by rebels, to ensure the security of French nationals and other foreigners, a senior official said Sunday.
A first contingent of 200 troops arrived in Bangui on Saturday and 150 more were despatched Sunday from Libreville, the capital of Gabon, the source said.
France now has nearly 600 troops in its notoriously unstable former colony.
The United States expressed deep concern Sunday over "widespread reports of human rights abuses" in the capital of the Central African Republic and urged rebel forces to restore law and order.
The Seleka rebel coalition seized Bangui as a well-placed source told AFP that President Francois Bozize had left the country in a helicopter, after the collapse of a two-month-old truce deal backed by regional powers.
"We urgently call on the Seleka leadership which has taken control of Bangui to establish law and order in the city and to restore basic services of electricity and water," US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
"We strongly urge the Seleka leadership to recognize the continued legitimacy of the Libreville Agreement, ensure its implementation and provide full support to Prime Minister (Nicolas) Tiangaye and his government."