Central African Republic revolt

Bangui - French troops trying to quell an army revolt in Central African Republic clashed with mutineers yesterday and both sides sustained casualties, witnesses said.

One witness said at least three French soldiers had died and as many had been abducted during the clashes that erupted after negotiations between authorities and mutineers broke down. However, the French Defence Ministry said only two of its soldiers had been injured and it had no information on fatalities or abductions among French forces.

About 1,000 French troops, some with tanks, earlier fanned across the capital as France ordered its forces in Central African Republic and in neighbouring African countries under defence accords to come to the aid of President Ange-Felix Patasse.