White House welcomes UN's move to protect civilians in Central African Republic

The White House on Thursday welcomed the United Nations' move to allow peacekeepers to use force to protect innocent civilians in the Central African Republic (CAR) from more "shocking and horrific" atrocities. "In recent weeks, government affiliated armed groups and independent 'self-defense' militias in the Central African Republic have committed shocking and horrific atrocities against innocent civilians that demand a swift response by the international community," spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement. "Today's passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2127 is an important step in preventing further atrocities or an escalation of the violence," he added. The French-sponsored measure, which authorizes the African-led troops to use force under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and allows the participation of French troops in the mission in the violence- ridden CAR, was adopted amid reports of heavy gunfire erupting in CAR's capital of Bangui with as many as 100 deaths incurred. The resolution also opens the possibility of an eventual presence of a UN peacekeeping operation in the CAR, a landlocked and mineral-rich country of 4.6 million people that has slipped into chaos since northern Seleka rebels seized Bangui and ousted President Francois Bozize in March. Seleka leader Michel Djotodia, installed as the transitional president, officially dissolved a loose coalition of rebel forces, but has been unable to stop clashes with self-defense militias, known as the "anti-balaka" or anti-machetes. Washington offered 40 million U.S. dollars in aid last month to support a 2,500-strong regional peacekeeping force in the African nation. "We continue to evaluate what more we can do to help stabilize the situation and support a political transition," Carney said. " We join the international community in condemning the violence that has taken place, in demanding accountability for the perpetrators, and in calling for all parties to work toward a restoration of democracy."