280 killed in clashes in Central African Republic

As many as 280 persons were killed Friday in violent clashes erupted in the Central African Republic, the ABC News cited Red Cross officials as saying. Christian militias attacked the capital of Bangui at dawn Thursday, killing scores of people and setting off chaotic fighting. French troops and equipment are now pouring into the country to prevent it from tipping into total anarchy. Bodies lay decomposing along the roads Friday in a capital too dangerous for many to collect the corpses, Red Cross officials told national radio. Christian civilians, fearing retaliatory attacks by the mostly Muslim ex-rebels who control Central African Republic, have fled by the thousands to the airport guarded by French forces. France signaled its amped up presence in its former colony on Friday by sending out armored vehicles to patrol the streets. A French fighter jet made several flyovers, roaring through the sky over an otherwise lifeless capital as civilians cowered at home. A planned vote on a UN Security Council resolution Thursday allowed France to proceed with its mission.