CAR buries its dead as France boosts intervention force

People in the Central African Republic's capital buried their dead Saturday after almost 300 people were killed during clashes between Seleka fighters and vigilante groups, dpa reported. An uneasy calm reigned on the streets of Bangui, where shops remained closed and people stayed in the relative safety of their homes. Former colonial power France, which said it would have 1,600 troops in the country by Saturday night, said that in future, African countries should see to their own security. President Francois Hollande, speaking at the close of a Franco-African summit in Paris, said France was prepared to help African states establish a rapid-reaction force in the coming months. He said France could train and equip 20,000 African soldiers to respond to hot spots "quickly and efficiently." In Bangui, the arrival of additional French troops more than doubled the 600-strong force that had already been securing the airport and providing protection for French nationals. French forces went into action in the capital Friday as a UN-backed intervention to end months of militia attacks and sectarian violence got under way. The latest violence came Thursday when a militia loyal to Bozize reportedly attacked Bangui on several sides. Seleka was able to gain the upper hand after several hours of fighting.