{{At least 60 people have been killed in Central African Republic in fighting between former rebels and forces loyal to the president they ousted in March, officials say.}}<\/p>\n
A government spokesman said fighters loyal to Francois Bozize had seized the town of Bouca north of the capital.<\/p>\n
This is the first large-scale operation launched by the former president’s forces since he was toppled in March.<\/p>\n
The UN has warned that CAR could become a failed state, threatening the region.<\/p>\n
Presidential spokesman Guy-Simplice Kodegue said bridges had been destroyed and villages attacked near the town of Bossangoa, 250 km (155 miles) north-west of the capital Bangui.<\/p>\n
He accused pro-Bozize fighters of attacking members of the Muslim population.<\/p>\n
The Seleka rebels who seized power in March are seen as largely Muslim.<\/p>\n
Mr Kodegue said five Seleka fighters had been killed during the clashes.<\/p>\n
It has not been possible to verify this information because of a lack of communication with the region.<\/p>\n
Aid workers have accused undisciplined Seleka fighters of looting the healthcare system, as well as robbing civilians, since they came to power.<\/p>\n
About a third of the country’s 4.6 million people need assistance with food, shelter, healthcare or water, according to UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, who recently visited the country.<\/p>\n
Last week, the authorities launched a disarmament campaign in the capital, Bangui.<\/p>\n
CAR has gold and diamond deposits but has been unstable since independence.<\/p>\n
Seleka leader Michel Djotodia, who was sworn in as president earlier this month, has promised to relinquish power after elections scheduled for 2016.<\/p>\n
Mr Bozize is currently in France after initially fleeing to Cameroon when Seleka fighters seized Bangui.<\/p>\n
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