French forces begin CAR operations

Civilians wait for treatment at Bangui's hospital following violence in the city.
6 December 2013

France has begun military operations in Central African Republic, with patrols and a helicopter detachment arriving to quell violence in the streets of the capital.

Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told Radio France Internationale that the streets of Bangui were calm after a spasm of bloodshed that began before dawn yesterday and left nearly 100 people dead.

The ambush of armed Christian fighters in Muslim neighbourhoods of Bangui, the capital, came hours before the United Nations voted to send French troops to stabilise Central African Republic.

Mr Le Drian said the immediate goal is to keep the streets safe.

"You have to ensure that the vandals, the bandits and the militias know they can't use the streets of Bangui for their battles," he said.

AP

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