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French soldiers killed in Central African Republic | French soldiers killed in Central African Republic |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Two French soldiers have been killed in combat in the Central African Republic, the French presidency says. | Two French soldiers have been killed in combat in the Central African Republic, the French presidency says. |
It says President Francois Hollande, who is now in the CAR, "learned with deep sadness" that the two had been killed overnight in the capital Bangui. | |
They are the first French deaths since France deployed 1,600 soldiers to the CAR last week in a UN-backed operation. | They are the first French deaths since France deployed 1,600 soldiers to the CAR last week in a UN-backed operation. |
The CAR has been in chaos since rebel leader Michel Djotodia ousted President Francois Bozize in March. | The CAR has been in chaos since rebel leader Michel Djotodia ousted President Francois Bozize in March. |
Fuelled by ethnic rivalries, the conflict has also now become sectarian in nature as he installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country sparking months of bloody clashes between rival Muslim and Christian fighters. | Fuelled by ethnic rivalries, the conflict has also now become sectarian in nature as he installed himself as the first Muslim leader in the Christian-majority country sparking months of bloody clashes between rival Muslim and Christian fighters. |
Claude Bartolone, speaker of France's National Assembly, told reporters that the two paratroopers had been involved in a clash near Bangui airport. | Claude Bartolone, speaker of France's National Assembly, told reporters that the two paratroopers had been involved in a clash near Bangui airport. |
"They were injured and very quickly taken to the surgical unit, but unfortunately they could not be saved," he said. | "They were injured and very quickly taken to the surgical unit, but unfortunately they could not be saved," he said. |
A statement from President Hollande's office said the soldiers had "lost their lives to save many others". | |
"The president expresses his profound respect for the sacrifice of these two soldiers and renews his full confidence in the French forces committed - alongside African forces - to restoring security in the Central African Republic, to protecting the people and guaranteeing access to humanitarian aid," it said. | "The president expresses his profound respect for the sacrifice of these two soldiers and renews his full confidence in the French forces committed - alongside African forces - to restoring security in the Central African Republic, to protecting the people and guaranteeing access to humanitarian aid," it said. |
President Hollande, who attended Nelson Mandela's memorial service in South Africa, has now arrived in Bangui. He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. | |
The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the northern town of Bossangoa says French troops - along with African peacekeepers - launched an operation on Monday to forcibly disarm militiamen as well as predominantly Muslim fighters who claimed to be part of the new national army. | The BBC's Thomas Fessy in the northern town of Bossangoa says French troops - along with African peacekeepers - launched an operation on Monday to forcibly disarm militiamen as well as predominantly Muslim fighters who claimed to be part of the new national army. |
Tensions remain high in the country, our correspondent adds. | Tensions remain high in the country, our correspondent adds. |
Extra French troops were sent into the CAR last Friday after the UN Security Council backed a mandate to restore order "by all necessary measures" the previous evening. | Extra French troops were sent into the CAR last Friday after the UN Security Council backed a mandate to restore order "by all necessary measures" the previous evening. |
The UN resolution followed a surge of violence involving Christian self-defence militias that had sprung up after a series of attacks by mainly Muslim fighters from the former rebel coalition. | The UN resolution followed a surge of violence involving Christian self-defence militias that had sprung up after a series of attacks by mainly Muslim fighters from the former rebel coalition. |
The Red Cross said 394 people were killed in three days of fighting in Bangui. Many of the victims are believed to have been children. | The Red Cross said 394 people were killed in three days of fighting in Bangui. Many of the victims are believed to have been children. |
The French army said it has restored some stability in the capital by Monday night. | The French army said it has restored some stability in the capital by Monday night. |
Following a request from France, the US announced on Monday it would help fly African Union peacekeeping troops into the CAR. | Following a request from France, the US announced on Monday it would help fly African Union peacekeeping troops into the CAR. |
Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered US forces "to begin transporting forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic," his spokesman said. | Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered US forces "to begin transporting forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic," his spokesman said. |
US President Barack Obama has called for calm and asked the CAR's transitional government to arrest those who are committing crimes. | US President Barack Obama has called for calm and asked the CAR's transitional government to arrest those who are committing crimes. |
France's defence minister has said fighters loyal to interim president Michel Djotodia must return to barracks and the other fighters would have to surrender their weapons. | France's defence minister has said fighters loyal to interim president Michel Djotodia must return to barracks and the other fighters would have to surrender their weapons. |
France said on Saturday that the African Union would increase the size of its existing force of 2,500 peacekeepers to 6,000. | France said on Saturday that the African Union would increase the size of its existing force of 2,500 peacekeepers to 6,000. |
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that as many as 9,000 peacekeepers would be required in the CAR, and he hoped they would eventually become a United Nations operation. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that as many as 9,000 peacekeepers would be required in the CAR, and he hoped they would eventually become a United Nations operation. |
An estimated 10% of the 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 the CAR's 4.6 million people have fled their homes, while more than a million urgently need food aid, according to the UN. |