BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Thirteen South African peacekeepers have been killed by Seleka rebels in the Central African Republic in recent days. The rebels earlier seized the country’s capital, Bangui, and forced the president out of the country.

Officials in neighboring Cameroon say CAR’s President Francois Bozize has fled into their country, but denied he was being given permanent refuge. The rebels have now confirmed that they’ve taken control of the capital, and have declared their leader the country’s new president.

South African President Jacob Zuma said at least 13 soldiers stationed in Bangui over the weekend were killed as the rebels moved across the capital. Meanwhile, 27 others were wounded during the 9-hour attack on their base. But Zuma said South Africa had not decided yet whether to withdraw its forces.

French troops guarding Bangui’s international airport accidentally killed two Indian citizens and wounded a number of Cameroonians when a vehicle tried to enter the facility. France has strengthened its military presence at the airport in order to protect French citizens. But it says it will not launch an intervention.

(Source: CNTV.cn)