France defense minister in Central African Republic

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has arrived in the Central African Republic (CAR) for talks with the interim leaders of the African country.

Le Drian arrived in CAR on Friday and is set to meet with interim president Michel Djotodia, the former leader of the now disbanded Seleka rebel group, which brought him to power by launching an offensive against the government in December 2012 and finally ousting then President Francois Bozizé in March.

The French minister will also meet General Francisco Soriano, the head of the French contingent in the capital Bangui.

His visit comes after French President Francois Hollande visited CAR on December 10 following the deaths of two French soldiers who were killed on December 9 after heavy clashes with unidentified gunmen in Bangui.

France invaded its former colony after the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution giving the African Union and France the go-ahead to send troops to CAR.

At a ceremony to pay tribute to the soldiers at a base in the Bangui airport, Hollande said the 1,600-strong French forces were “necessary if one wants to avoid carnage here.”

“France is not here in the Central African Republic out of any self-interest… France has come to defend human dignity,” added the president.

Paris claims the aim of the mission is to create stability in CAR in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach violence-hit areas.

The recent fighting in CAR began when Christian militias, who support ousted President Bozizé, attacked several Muslim neighborhoods of Bangui.

According to the Red Cross, nearly 400 people lost their lives in a day of violence only in the capital earlier this month.

The Central African Republic enjoys numerous mineral resources, including gold and diamond. However, the country is extremely destitute and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.