French defence minister arrives in Bangui

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived here on Friday morning for talks with the transitional authorities officials in the Central African Republic and at the same time inspect his country’s troops deployed in the country which has been in turmoil since March when rebel groups overthrew the president. Upon his arrival Le Drian met with the leaders of the african task force in central africa following which he proceeds to Bossangoa is the capital of Ouham, one of the 14 prefectures of the Central African Republic , the location of hundreds of French soldiers stationed there. Then the French minister will return to Bangui for talks with Chairman of the Transitional Authority in the country, Michel Djaotodia , who was the former commander of the rebels / Celica /. France has deployed about 1600 soldiers in Central Africa with a view to putting an end to the violations of the military groups with a view to reinstating stability in that afrcan country. Last Tuesday president francois hollande visited Bangi . It’s the second time this year that France has sent forces to a former colony, and Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was needed to keep chaos at bay in Central African Republic. France has about 2,800 troops in Mali, an operation that began after rebels and al-Qaida linked militants moved to take over the capital. Le Drian told Europe 1 radio “We cannot have a country in collapse like that.” He said Tuesday the French troops would join an African force. The rebels have been accused by rights groups of committing atrocities including killings, rapes and conscription of child soldiers.