C. African Republic leader fires son from post

President Francois Bozize said in a decree read on state radio late Wednesday that he now assumes control of the defense ministry in place of his son, Francis Bozize.

Hundreds of troops from neighboring countries including Chad, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Cameroon have been in arriving in this desperately poor, landlocked country where rebels have seized 10 towns in a month's time. The rebels have held their position at the key transportation hub of Sibut since Dec. 29 and have made no further advance toward the capital, Bangui.

Government and regional forces are fortifying the town of Damara where truckloads of Chadian troops patrol the streets toting rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons. Damara is about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Sibut.

Gen. Jean Felix Akaga, who heads the regional force known as FOMAC, says a push on Damara, 45 miles (75 kilometers) north of the capital, would be “a declaration of war” on the 10 Central African states.

“For us, Damara is the red line that the rebels cannot cross,” Akaga said Wednesday. “If they attack Damara, we will attack.”

The United Nations called for talks between the government and rebels and the Security Council scheduled closed consultations on the Central African Republic on Thursday afternoon.

The rebels have indicated they will participate in talks but are also insisting that Bozize go. The president says he will not leave before finishing his term in 2016.

Bozize himself took power in 2003 following a rebellion with the help of Chadian forces. He later went on to win elections in 2005 and 2011, though the opposition and international observers have called the votes deeply flawed.

The rebels behind the latest challenge to Bozize's rule are made up of four separate groups all known by their French acronyms — UFDR, CPJP, FDPC and CPSK. They are collectively known as Seleka, which means alliance in the local Sango language.

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