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| Central African Republic crisis: Bozize promises coalition | Central African Republic crisis: Bozize promises coalition |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Central African Republic leader Francois Bozize has said he is ready to form a national unity government with rebels, as they continue their advance towards the capital Bangui. | Central African Republic leader Francois Bozize has said he is ready to form a national unity government with rebels, as they continue their advance towards the capital Bangui. |
| Mr Bozize's remarks came after a meeting with African Union chairman Thomas Boni Yayi. | Mr Bozize's remarks came after a meeting with African Union chairman Thomas Boni Yayi. |
| He said he would hold peace talks with rebels in Gabon, and would step down when his term ended in 2016. | He said he would hold peace talks with rebels in Gabon, and would step down when his term ended in 2016. |
| The rebels told the BBC they would consider the president's offer. | The rebels told the BBC they would consider the president's offer. |
| They had pledged to depose Mr Bozize unless he negotiated with them, but have also said that it is not their aim to enter government themselves. | They had pledged to depose Mr Bozize unless he negotiated with them, but have also said that it is not their aim to enter government themselves. |
| Government troops have reportedly pulled back to Damara, 75km (48 miles) from the capital, in the face of a rebel advance, but rebel spokesman Eric Massi told the BBC they would not march on Bangui itself before seeing the outcome of the talks. | |
| BBC Africa analyst Mary Harper says they are insisting that they do not want to take over, but rather are seeking a peaceful democratic transition. | |
| But such a transition is unlikely, and meanwhile President Bozize is growing weaker both politically and militarily by the minute, she adds. | |
| "I am ready to form a government of national unity with Seleka to run the country together, because I am a democrat," Mr Bozize said at a news conference after his meeting with Mr Boni Yayi, quoted by Reuters. | "I am ready to form a government of national unity with Seleka to run the country together, because I am a democrat," Mr Bozize said at a news conference after his meeting with Mr Boni Yayi, quoted by Reuters. |
| He said he was ready to attend the Gabon talks "without condition and without delay". | He said he was ready to attend the Gabon talks "without condition and without delay". |
| Evacuations | Evacuations |
| Earlier, the Seleka rebel alliance entered the central city of Sibut after the army withdrew on Friday evening. | Earlier, the Seleka rebel alliance entered the central city of Sibut after the army withdrew on Friday evening. |
| More troops from the Central African Multinational Force (Fomac) arrived in CAR on Saturday to reinforce a contingent already there. | More troops from the Central African Multinational Force (Fomac) arrived in CAR on Saturday to reinforce a contingent already there. |
| More than 100 French paratroopers have also been sent in. However, France insists they are only there to secure its nationals - not to save the regime. | More than 100 French paratroopers have also been sent in. However, France insists they are only there to secure its nationals - not to save the regime. |
| A senior UN official told the BBC that all its international staff had been evacuated to neighbouring Cameroon. | A senior UN official told the BBC that all its international staff had been evacuated to neighbouring Cameroon. |
| The US has also evacuated its embassy in Bangui. | The US has also evacuated its embassy in Bangui. |
| BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says there was no fighting when rebels entered Sibut on Saturday. | BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says there was no fighting when rebels entered Sibut on Saturday. |
| The city is about 150km (95 miles) from Bangui. | The city is about 150km (95 miles) from Bangui. |
| Government troops and Chadian soldiers deployed as a buffer force had left their position hours before and a rebel spokesman said they took over the city because it was abandoned. | Government troops and Chadian soldiers deployed as a buffer force had left their position hours before and a rebel spokesman said they took over the city because it was abandoned. |
| The government is reported to have fallen back to Damara, the last major town on the road to the capital. | The government is reported to have fallen back to Damara, the last major town on the road to the capital. |
| Seleka - an alliance of three separate groups - accuses Mr Bozize of failing to honour a 2007 peace deal under which fighters who laid down their arms were meant to be paid. | Seleka - an alliance of three separate groups - accuses Mr Bozize of failing to honour a 2007 peace deal under which fighters who laid down their arms were meant to be paid. |
| They began their campaign a month ago and have taken several key towns and cities including Bambari and the diamond centre of Bria in their push towards the capital. | They began their campaign a month ago and have taken several key towns and cities including Bambari and the diamond centre of Bria in their push towards the capital. |
| On Saturday, government officials confirmed that their forces' attempt to retake Bambari on Friday had been beaten back. | On Saturday, government officials confirmed that their forces' attempt to retake Bambari on Friday had been beaten back. |
| In Bangui, residents have reported sharp rises in staple food prices as the rebels draw closer. | In Bangui, residents have reported sharp rises in staple food prices as the rebels draw closer. |