CAR rebels agree to peace talks

• Tweet

BANGUI, Central African Republic, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Rebel forces in the Central African Republic say they have stopped their monthlong advance on Bangui, the capital city, and will participate in peace talks.

The announcement from the Seleka rebels, an alliance of three separate groups, comes as neighboring Gabon sent 120 troops Tuesday to help the government, with Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville offering troops as well, Francis Bozize, the Central African Republic's defense minister, told the British Broadcasting Corp.

The BBC noted the rebels' capacity for fighting these reinforcements was not known, and the regional military buildup may have worked to drive the rebels to the negotiating table.