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CAR violence: Many dead in Bangui as UN votes for French force CAR violence: Many dead in Bangui as UN votes for French force
(35 minutes later)
Dozens of people - possibly as many as 60 or more - have been killed in fierce fighting in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bangui. At least 80 people are believed to have been killed in fierce fighting on Thursday in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), Bangui.
The city was reportedly attacked by supporters of Francois Bozize, who was ousted as president by rebels in March, plunging the country into chaos.The city was reportedly attacked by supporters of Francois Bozize, who was ousted as president by rebels in March, plunging the country into chaos.
The UN Security Council has just voted to allow French troops to join an African peacekeeping force in CAR. The UN Security Council has now voted to allow French troops to join an African peacekeeping force in the CAR.
About 10% of CAR's 4.6 million people have fled their homes, the UN says.About 10% of CAR's 4.6 million people have fled their homes, the UN says.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told the BFM-TV news channel that the French deployment would total around 1,200, with 600 troops already in place.
About 250 French troops were sent out onto the streets of Bangui when the violence began on Thursday.
The Security Council resolution also imposed an arms embargo and asked the UN to prepare for a possible peacekeeping mission of its own.The Security Council resolution also imposed an arms embargo and asked the UN to prepare for a possible peacekeeping mission of its own.
About 250 French troops are already in Bangui, out of a force expected to number 600 in total.
DangerDanger
The BBC's Andrew Harding, in Bangui, reported seeing many people lying wounded in the halls of a hospital.The BBC's Andrew Harding, in Bangui, reported seeing many people lying wounded in the halls of a hospital.
He also said reports were coming in that at least 60 people had been killed in the city. Journalists for the AFP news agency said about 80 bodies had been found in a mosque and in the streets.
Our correspondent says the violence in the CAR is increasingly pitting Christians against Muslims.Our correspondent says the violence in the CAR is increasingly pitting Christians against Muslims.
Law and order broke down there after Mr Bozize was ousted by Michel Djotodia, who installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country.Law and order broke down there after Mr Bozize was ousted by Michel Djotodia, who installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country.
Mr Djotodia has officially disbanded his Seleka rebel group and integrated some of them into the army but correspondents say it is often not clear who is in charge, even in the capital.Mr Djotodia has officially disbanded his Seleka rebel group and integrated some of them into the army but correspondents say it is often not clear who is in charge, even in the capital.
A Seleka general told the BBC there were 54 bodies lying in a mosque in Bangui. BBC journalists saw another 20 to 30 bodies lying in the streets outside.
The UN special representative in the CAR, Babacar Gaye, told the BBC there was a danger of mass killings in Bangui if nothing was done to stop the violence.The UN special representative in the CAR, Babacar Gaye, told the BBC there was a danger of mass killings in Bangui if nothing was done to stop the violence.
"Today something very worrisome happened because a group... attacked the town."Today something very worrisome happened because a group... attacked the town.
"We don't know the size, but what we know is that within ex-Seleka [rebels], casualties have been observed including commanding officers and we know that downtown, unfortunately, targeted violence is ongoing, so we are in a very bad situation," Mr Gaye said."We don't know the size, but what we know is that within ex-Seleka [rebels], casualties have been observed including commanding officers and we know that downtown, unfortunately, targeted violence is ongoing, so we are in a very bad situation," Mr Gaye said.
Our correspondent says Bangui is quieter than it was when the fighting began on Thursday morning, with only the occasional burst of gunfire.Our correspondent says Bangui is quieter than it was when the fighting began on Thursday morning, with only the occasional burst of gunfire.
He says the attack looks like an attempt to change the balance of power before the French intervene but for now, Seleka forces remain in control.He says the attack looks like an attempt to change the balance of power before the French intervene but for now, Seleka forces remain in control.
An existing peacekeeping force about 2,500 strong, the International Support Mission in Central Africa (Misca), is already in place.
It is now under a 12-month UN mandate and will rise to some 3,600 African soldiers, in addition to the 1,200 from French forces.