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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 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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. | 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 attacked, reportedly by militias loyal to Francois Bozize, who was ousted as president by rebels in March, plunging the country into chaos. | |
The UN Security Council has now voted to allow French troops to join an African peacekeeping force in the CAR. | The UN Security Council has now voted to allow French troops to join an African peacekeeping force in the CAR. |
The violence has raised fears of mass killings along sectarian lines. | |
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. | 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. | 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. |
Danger | Danger |
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. |
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. |
Michel Djotodia, who ousted Mr Bozize, installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country. | |
The mainly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition which brought him to power has been accused of atrocities against Christians. | |
Christian communities have now set up so-called "anti-balaka" self-defence forces, most of them loyal to Mr Bozize. | |
"Balaka" means machete in the local Sango and Mandja languages. | |
The Selekas have been officially disbanded and some of them integrated 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. | 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. |
CAR Prime Minister Nicholas Tiangaye, in Paris for a Franco-African summit, called for the immediate deployment of French troops. | |
He blamed Thursday's violence on the "anti-balaka" militias. | |
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. | 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. | 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. |
About 10% of CAR's 4.6 million people have fled their homes, the UN says. |