US praises French 'leadership' in C. Africa conflict

Washington has praised French military forces for beginning the tough task of helping restore security to the strife-torn Central African Republic.
"We believe that France's strong leadership in committing 800 additional troops and their support to the African Union-led stabilisation mission in the CAR (MISCA) sends a forceful message to all parties that the violence must end," deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said yesterday.
France deployed its troops yesterday as part of a UN-backed operation to quell violence between Christians and Muslims in its former colony.
"We are deeply concerned by the worsening violence in the CAR, which has resulted in a growing humanitarian crisis and increased the risk of mass atrocities," Harf said in a statement.

The United States has pledged some USD 40 million in equipment, training and logistical support to the French-African force known as MISCA.
Germany said it was ready to offer transport and refuelling aircraft to the French operation, but Harf told journalists she was not aware of any specific requests for US military help.
"Obviously, we would consider them if they came in," she said.