France's foreign minister says military intervention in Central African Republic will unfold swiftly after a U.N. vote scheduled for Thursday.
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told BFM-TV that around 1,200 French soldiers would be deployed in the operation. About 600 French troops are in Central African Republic, which has been controlled by a coalition of rebel groups since March. He said the French president was expected to formally launch the operation within days.
The fighters are blamed for scores of rights abuses, and Fabius has warned the nation is verging on genocide. Fabius said 2,500 African soldiers are in position, with a total of around 3,500 expected.
Gunfire echoed across the capital Bangui Thursday, with reports of clashes between the mostly Muslim armed fighters and Christians who support the ousted president.
