UNSC authorises 11,800 UN peacekeepers for CAR

The UN Security Council (UNSC) Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution to authorise a 11,800- strong UN peacekeeping force for the Central African Republic (CAR) to stop violence in the country.

Under the new resolution, the 15-nation council created the peacekeeping force of up to 10,000 military personnel, including 240 military observers and 200 staff officers, and 1,800 police to bring peace and stability to the country, where a violence between Christians and Muslims has led to fears of a possible genocide, Xinhua reported.

"The Security Council decides to establish the United Nations Multimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) as of the date of adoption of this resolution and for an initial period until 30 April 2015," the resolution said.

The council also authorised French troops in the CAR, a former French colony, to support UN peacekeeping operations in the country, where sectarian violence has killed thousands of people last year.