France to send troops to Central Africa to help restore stability

The Central African Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye said that his country pinned high hopes on France to help it restore security and stability. In a press conference after meeting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Tiangaye said France would send additional 800 troops to his country, to strengthen French military mission there, which currently comprises of only 400 troops. He added that the France will seek a UN Security Council mandate to its mission in Central Africa in the coming weeks. The impoverished African country has descended into violence and chaos since Seleka rebels ousted President Francois Bozize in March. The US State Department estimates that nearly 400,000 people have been displaced and 68,000 have fled to neighboring countries since Seleka leader and interim president Michel Djotodia lost control of the coalition of warlords which brought him to power in March coup.