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LequteMan
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The French army on Thursday deployed 250 troops to the capital of the Central African Republic after clashes broke out between former rebels and militias, says the Defense Ministry.
“At this stage, 250 French soldiers have been deployed in Bangui to secure and patrol’’, ministry’s spokesman, Gilles Jarron told a news briefing, adding that the clashes were continuing.
Earlier, a Reuters witness said at least 23 people were killed and 64 others wounded in armed clashes in Bangui.
France now has around 650 troops in the capital and a further 350 on stand-by in neighbouring Cameroon as part of a total force expected to rise to 1,200.
Former rebels controlling Bangui said earlier they had come under attack from local militia and fighters loyal to ousted President Francois Bozize.
The violence comes hours before the UN was expected to authorise a French mission to intervene.
“At this stage, 250 French soldiers have been deployed in Bangui to secure and patrol’’, ministry’s spokesman, Gilles Jarron told a news briefing, adding that the clashes were continuing.
Earlier, a Reuters witness said at least 23 people were killed and 64 others wounded in armed clashes in Bangui.
France now has around 650 troops in the capital and a further 350 on stand-by in neighbouring Cameroon as part of a total force expected to rise to 1,200.
Former rebels controlling Bangui said earlier they had come under attack from local militia and fighters loyal to ousted President Francois Bozize.
The violence comes hours before the UN was expected to authorise a French mission to intervene.
