Breaking News English

The United Nations has warned that the Central African Republic (CAR) needs urgent help. The UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said it was "descending complete chaos our eyes". The landlocked nation has been slowly moving a state total anarchy since rebels seized power March. Mr Eliasson called the strengthening the African Union's military presence the country. He suggested turning it an official UN peacekeeping operation. Mr Eliasson warned: "If this situation is left to fester, it may develop a religious and ethnic conflict long-standing consequences - even a civil war that could spread neighbouring countries."

Rebels known as the Seleka replaced former President Bozize their own commander Michel Djotodia. Mr Djotodia later disbanded the rebels but they regrouped and formed armed gangs, which now control most the impoverished country. Mr Eliasson said: "The population is enduring suffering imagination. As we see far too often, women and children are bearing the brunt. Human rights violations are mounting. The use child soldiers is rising. Sexual violence is growing. There are widespread reports looting, illegal checkpoints, extortion, illegal arrests and detentions, torture and summary executions." He warned that: "The CAR is becoming a breeding ground extremists."