BANGUI, Central African Republic, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Several hundred French troops patrolled the streets of Bangui, Central African Republic, Thursday after six soldiers from Chad were killed, officials said.
Gunfire and clashes Wednesday included an attack by Christian militia on the soldiers, who the militia accused of aiding Muslim Seleka militias. Five soldiers died at the scene and a sixth died Thursday from his wounds, Radio France Internationale reported.
A journalist reported seeing three dead civilians in a northern Bangui neighborhood where fighting took place Wednesday, RFI said.
In a joint statement, the country's Catholic archbishop, Monsignor Dieudonne Nzapalainga, and Muslim community President Imam Omar Kobine Layama called on the United Nations to deploy troops to the Central African Republic "with the utmost urgency."
They said the 1,600 French troops and 4,000 troops from neighboring African countries "cannot bear the burden alone," adding the country "remains on the verge of a war with religious aspects" with "terrible reprisals against Muslims" for atrocities allegedly committed by the Muslim Seleka militias.
