UN chief wants CAR violence to end

While strongly condemning recent attacks in the Central African Republic (CAR), UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon Thursday called for "an immediate end to the cycle of violence and retaliatory attacks" in the country.

"The secretary-general strongly condemns the recent attacks in the Central African Republic, including yesterday at the Church of Notre Dame de Fatima in Bangui in which an unknown number of people, were killed and others were abducted," Xinhua quoted Ban as saying in a statement.

"The attack follows violence in the capital earlier in the week during which three Muslim youths were brutally killed by suspected anti-Balaka elements on their way to an inter-communal reconciliation football match."

Muslim rebels attacked Christians sheltering at a Catholic church Wednesday, leaving scores of people dead and prompting fears of reprisal attacks, reports said.

Some young people later destroyed a mosque in the neighbourhood of Lakouanga in retaliation, residents said.

Ban also asked the international forces present in the Central African Republic to take all necessary measures in support of these efforts.

"The secretary-general calls for an immediate end to the cycle of violence and retaliatory attacks," the statement added.