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Central African City Is Seized by Rebels Central African City Is Seized by Rebels
(about 7 hours later)
BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Rebels in the Central African Republic continued their advance on Saturday, seizing the city of Sibut, 114 miles from Bangui, the capital, a government official confirmed.BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — Rebels in the Central African Republic continued their advance on Saturday, seizing the city of Sibut, 114 miles from Bangui, the capital, a government official confirmed.
Sibut, an important transportation hub, fell without a shot being fired because the Central African Republic Army and forces from neighboring Chad had pulled back to Damara, 46 miles from Bangui, on Friday, said Josie Binoua, the minister of territorial administration.Sibut, an important transportation hub, fell without a shot being fired because the Central African Republic Army and forces from neighboring Chad had pulled back to Damara, 46 miles from Bangui, on Friday, said Josie Binoua, the minister of territorial administration.
The telephone lines to Sibut have been cut, making it difficult to check on the situation with residents. The telephone lines to Sibut have been cut, making it difficult to check on the situation.
News of the seizure of Sibut comes as countries in the region have agreed to send more forces to support the government of President François Bozizé. Talks between the rebels and the Bozizé government are planned to start this week in Gabon.News of the seizure of Sibut comes as countries in the region have agreed to send more forces to support the government of President François Bozizé. Talks between the rebels and the Bozizé government are planned to start this week in Gabon.
Representatives from the 10-nation Economic Community of Central African States agreed at a meeting in Gabon on Friday to send forces, but they did not specify how many troops would be sent or how quickly military assistance would arrive.Representatives from the 10-nation Economic Community of Central African States agreed at a meeting in Gabon on Friday to send forces, but they did not specify how many troops would be sent or how quickly military assistance would arrive.
As fears mounted that the rebels would attack the capital, Mr. Bozizé pleaded for international help. But France, the African nation’s former colonial ruler, said its 200 soldiers in the country were there only to protect French interests. As fears mounted that the rebels would attack the capital, Mr. Bozizé pleaded for international help.