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| Central African Republic: 'Bozize loyalists' attack Bangui | Central African Republic: 'Bozize loyalists' attack Bangui |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Heavy arms fire has been heard in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bangui. | Heavy arms fire has been heard in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bangui. |
| The city has reportedly been attacked by supporters of President Francois Bozize, who was ousted by rebels in March, plunging the country into chaos. | |
| It comes hours before the UN Security Council is due to vote on French troops joining the African peacekeeping force. | It comes hours before the UN Security Council is due to vote on French troops joining the African peacekeeping force. |
| France's ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, said the move would make a difference "within days". | France's ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, said the move would make a difference "within days". |
| Mr Bozize was ousted by Michel Djotodia, who installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country. | Mr Bozize was ousted by Michel Djotodia, who installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country. |
| Religious and ethnic attacks have led to warnings of genocide. | Religious and ethnic attacks have led to warnings of genocide. |
| Earlier this week, at least 12 people from a mainly Muslim community north of Bangui were killed and 30 wounded in an attack blamed on Christian militiamen known as "anti-balaka". | Earlier this week, at least 12 people from a mainly Muslim community north of Bangui were killed and 30 wounded in an attack blamed on Christian militiamen known as "anti-balaka". |
| 'Green light' | 'Green light' |
| The BBC's Andrew Harding in Bangui says the city is now quieter, with only the occasional burst of gunfire. | The BBC's Andrew Harding in Bangui says the city is now quieter, with only the occasional burst of gunfire. |
| The balance of forces remains unchanged, he says. | The balance of forces remains unchanged, he says. |
| General Arda Hakouma, a former rebel who now heads of Mr Djotodia's personal guard, said anti-balaka fighters had attacked three parts of the city. | General Arda Hakouma, a former rebel who now heads of Mr Djotodia's personal guard, said anti-balaka fighters had attacked three parts of the city. |
| "There are many of them. Some of them are well armed with rifles and rocket launchers. Others are dressed in civilian clothes with machetes," he said, according to Reuters news agency. | "There are many of them. Some of them are well armed with rifles and rocket launchers. Others are dressed in civilian clothes with machetes," he said, according to Reuters news agency. |
| "There has been gunfire all over town," said Amy Martin, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Bangui. | "There has been gunfire all over town," said Amy Martin, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Bangui. |
| The firing began at around 05:30 (04:30 GMT) on Thursday. | The firing began at around 05:30 (04:30 GMT) on Thursday. |
| Mr Araud told the BBC's Newsday programme that French and African forces were already arriving in CAR and would be able to respond quickly once the UN Security Council gives the expected "green light" on Thursday. He said all 15 members backed the resolution. | Mr Araud told the BBC's Newsday programme that French and African forces were already arriving in CAR and would be able to respond quickly once the UN Security Council gives the expected "green light" on Thursday. He said all 15 members backed the resolution. |
| He said the troops would first restore law and order in Bangui, and then secure roads going to other main cities. | He said the troops would first restore law and order in Bangui, and then secure roads going to other main cities. |
| "What we understand is that a lot of people have gathered in the cities. They are totally terrified, in awful conditions, so it will allow the humanitarian aid to reach these people," he said. | "What we understand is that a lot of people have gathered in the cities. They are totally terrified, in awful conditions, so it will allow the humanitarian aid to reach these people," he said. |
| "I hope that in a few days, maybe a few weeks we are going to make a difference." | "I hope that in a few days, maybe a few weeks we are going to make a difference." |
| An estimated 10% of CAR's 4.6 million people have fled their homes, while more than a million urgently need food aid, according to the UN. | An estimated 10% of CAR's 4.6 million people have fled their homes, while more than a million urgently need food aid, according to the UN. |
| Aid workers say that since taking over, fighters from Mr Djotodia's Seleka former rebel group, officially disbanded, have systematically looted the country's health centres and schools. | Aid workers say that since taking over, fighters from Mr Djotodia's Seleka former rebel group, officially disbanded, have systematically looted the country's health centres and schools. |
| "The rebels have destroyed everything - there is no state," Mr Araud said. | "The rebels have destroyed everything - there is no state," Mr Araud said. |
| CAR shares borders with several countries that are trying to rebuild after years of unrest, such as Chad, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. | CAR shares borders with several countries that are trying to rebuild after years of unrest, such as Chad, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. |
| Mercenaries from Chad and Sudan's Darfur region are said to be among the Seleka forces. | Mercenaries from Chad and Sudan's Darfur region are said to be among the Seleka forces. |
| The African Union (AU) has a 2,500-strong force in CAR, but is struggling to maintain law and order. | The African Union (AU) has a 2,500-strong force in CAR, but is struggling to maintain law and order. |
| The force is expected to increase to 3,600 by the end of the month. | The force is expected to increase to 3,600 by the end of the month. |
| France has started to boost its military presence in its former colony and says it will eventually deploy around 1,000 extra troops supporting the AU force. | France has started to boost its military presence in its former colony and says it will eventually deploy around 1,000 extra troops supporting the AU force. |