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| Central African Republic rebels 'enter capital Bangui' | Central African Republic rebels 'enter capital Bangui' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of rebels have entered the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, according to witnesses. | Hundreds of rebels have entered the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, according to witnesses. |
| Seleka rebels were said to be fighting running battles with government troops. | Seleka rebels were said to be fighting running battles with government troops. |
| The fighters, who have been involved in an on-off rebellion since December, accuse President Francois Bozize of failing to honour a peace deal. | The fighters, who have been involved in an on-off rebellion since December, accuse President Francois Bozize of failing to honour a peace deal. |
| Former colonial power France has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, and reportedly sent troops to secure the airport. | |
| French officials warned French nationals in the country should stay at home. | French officials warned French nationals in the country should stay at home. |
| Rebel spokesman Nelson Ndjadder said they had shot down a government military helicopter and were now heading for the presidential palace. | Rebel spokesman Nelson Ndjadder said they had shot down a government military helicopter and were now heading for the presidential palace. |
| However, there were no further reports of fighting as darkness fell. | |
| The rebels are also said to have cut off electrical power to parts of the city, having taken control of three power plants in the neighbouring town of Boali. | |
| A local UN official in southern Bangui said people were in a state of panic but could not confirm the rebels had entered the city. | A local UN official in southern Bangui said people were in a state of panic but could not confirm the rebels had entered the city. |
| The rebels joined a power-sharing government in January after talks brokered by regional leaders to end a rebellion they launched last year. | The rebels joined a power-sharing government in January after talks brokered by regional leaders to end a rebellion they launched last year. |
| But the deal quickly collapsed, with the rebels saying their demands, including the release of political prisoners, had not been met. | But the deal quickly collapsed, with the rebels saying their demands, including the release of political prisoners, had not been met. |
| On Friday it was reported that they had taken a checkpoint in the town of Damara, about an hour's drive from Bangui, where regional Fomac peacekeepers are based. | On Friday it was reported that they had taken a checkpoint in the town of Damara, about an hour's drive from Bangui, where regional Fomac peacekeepers are based. |
| BBC Africa editor Richard Hamilton says government soldiers have been unable to fend off the rebels because Mr Bozize fears being overthrown in a coup and is therefore wary of having a strong army. | |
| He came to power himself in a military coup in 2003. | |
| CAR has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960. | CAR has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960. |
| It is one of the poorest countries in Africa, despite its considerable mineral resources. | It is one of the poorest countries in Africa, despite its considerable mineral resources. |