UN approves French intervention in Central African Republic

Te UN Security Council today has unanimously approved the deployment of African and French forces to the Central African Republic (CAR) in response to escalated chaos and violence in the country.

The council also voted to impose an arms embargo on the CAR.

A CAR representative told the council the vote would "give reasons to hope for a new dawn" for the country's embattled population.

Hours before the meeting, rival militia forces fought fierce battles in the capital, Bangui.

A Reuters witness and an aid worker said at least 105 people had been killed in the fighting between former rebels now in charge of the country and fighters loyal to ousted president Francois Bozize. Many were civilians.

Violence has raged in the country since mainly Muslim seized power in March, leading to tit-for-tat sectarian violence, the latest in a series of coups since the nation gained independence.

An African Union force is already in the nation, but rights group say it's not enough to halt the escalating violence.

Last month, France pledged to send about 1,000 more troops to add to the 400 already there. Sources in the African Union mission to the CAR said Wednesday that more French troops are on their way to the nation.

Source: Legit.ng