French troops patrol past two Seleka, the alliance of mostly Muslim rebel groups, vehicles set on fire by Christian mobs in Bangui, Central African Republic, Monday Dec. 9, 2013. Both Christian and Muslim mobs went on lynching sprees as French Forces deploy in the capital. At least one Seleka suspect was stoned to death by the crowds. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
December 10, 2013 - 12:54 AM
PARIS - President Francois Hollande's office says two French soldiers have died in combat in Central African Republic's capital.
The announcement Tuesday of the killings in Bangui the previous evening marks the first French troop deaths since France stepped up its deployment in the violence-marred country after the United Nations Security Council authorized a more muscular international military presence there last week.
Earlier, the French presidential Elysee Palace said Hollande will travel to the former French colony Tuesday after attending a memorial in South Africa to Nelson Mandela.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013