CAR Rebels Said to Have Seized Presidential Palace

Francois Bozize, President of the Central African Republic. File photo

Rebels in the Central African Republic say they have seized the presidential palace after President Francois Bozize reportedly fled the capital.

Fighters of the Seleka rebel coalition advanced into Bangui on Saturday, ignoring a call for talks to avoid a "bloodbath", after the collapse of a two-month-old peace deal in the country.

The rebels were said to be in control of the capital Bangui, where witnesses said there was looting and sporadic gunfire, the BBC informs.

Reports suggested Bozize had fled to a neighbouring country.

The rebels, who have been involved in an on-off rebellion since December, accuse the president of failing to honour a peace deal.

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