Central African Republic coup leader Mr Francois Bozize has called for more African peacekeepers to be deployed alongside French forces in the country.
Mr Bozize, who seized control in a lightning putsch at the weekend, said he wanted troops from a wider range of nations of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) to be drafted in to stabilise the impoverished former French colony.
A 310-strong CEMAC force was deployed in the Central African Republic in December to protect President Ange-Felix Patasse, but only troops from Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea are taking part.
"I am proposing the following solution: that the reinforcement of CEMAC forces be extended to all countries without exception... with the support of the French forces who have been sent to Bangui to evacuate foreign nationals," Mr Bozize told Paris-based Radio France International.
Broadening the number of countries in the force would "ensure stability in the country".
He said the coup was the "only solution" for the country and added it had "passed off without any real problems".
Today, the coup leader tightened his grip on power, suspending the constitution and dissolving government and parliament.
Mr Bozize and his backers seized power while Mr Patasse was out of the country.
AFP