US 'deeply concerned' over Central Africa violence

The United States expressed concern Sunday over worsening violence in the Central African Republic and urged its neighbors to "help restore national peace and security." "The United States is deeply concerned about the continued deterioration in the security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR)," the US State Department said in a statement. "We call on President (Francois) Bozize and the leadership of the Seleka alliance to cease hostilities immediately and implement the provisions of the Libreville Agreement," it said. The two-month-old Libreville peace accord, which was signed by all parties, agreed to recognize the government of national unity as "the single, representative entity" empowered to govern the Central African Republic during the critical transitional period, the US statement said. The statement also urged the Economic Community of Central African States (CEAAC) to "rapidly convene the mediation committee called for by the Libreville Agreement in order to support the transitional government and help restore national peace and security." Washington said it was concerned about an uptick in violence in the Central African Republic, and said the treaty's signatories "should therefore act within this political framework and refrain from acts that undermine it." "We strongly urge regional leadership and the international community to adhere to the Libreville Agreement and provide their full support to Prime Minister (Nicolas) Tiangaye and his government," the US statement. In one of the most recent deadly attacks, four Central African soldiers were killed Monday in a rebel assault on a key southern town.