UN staff leave Central African Republic

The UN ordered non-essential staff to leave the Central African Republic because of fears of unrest. Source: AAP

THE United Nations has ordered non-essential staff and families of its other workers to leave the Central African Republic because of fears of unrest triggered by a rebel advance.

Rebel coalition troops have stopped short of the capital, but UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Wednesday "their contradictory messages and their continued military offensive seem to indicate that they might be intent on taking Bangui."

"The temporary relocation is a precautionary measure to reduce our presence in the event the security situation further deteriorates in Bangui," he added.

The decision "will not detract from the ability of the United Nations to continue its support to the peace consolidation and development efforts in the Central African Republic," the UN spokesman said.

The United Nations has a major political mission in Central African Republic seeking to help the government overcome more than a decade of strife.

More than 200 people are involved in the withdrawal order, a UN official said.

The Seleka coalition is made up of rebels who say President Francois Bozize has not honoured peace accords signed between 2007 and 2011 that offered financial support and other help for insurgents who laid down their arms.

On Wednesday, the rebels urged government troops to lay down their weapons.

The insurgents are about 300 kilometres from Bangui and have said they do not plan to take the capital, where Bozizi is being helped by Chadian forces.

In the capital Bangui on Wednesday, angry protesters carrying clubs threw rocks at the French embassy, criticising the former colonial power for failing to do more to stem the rapid rebel advance.

The demonstrations began earlier in the day outside the US embassy before about 100 protesters then took to the French embassy, carrying pieces of cardboard with messages that read: "No to war! No to France!"

"It's France who colonised us - they should support us until the end. Unfortunately, they have done nothing. In this case, we are merely asking purely and simply that they leave our country," shouted one young demonstrator in front of the French mission in Bangui.

The protesters then began stopping cars to verify whether any foreigners were inside.

"These people have taken down the French flag from its pole and removed it," said Serge Mucetti, the French ambassador to Central African Republic.

"They have carried out stone-throwing in the area of the embassy and have broken windows. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable."

Rebel Colonel Djouma Narkoyo said on Wednesday that his forces had continued taking towns in recent days because government forces were attacking their positions.

But, he insisted via phone: "Our intention is not to take Bangui. We still remain open to dialogue."

Bangui residents were sceptical of the insurgents' intentions.

"We are afraid by what we see happening in our country right now," said Leon Modomale, a civil servant in the capital.

"It's as if the rebels are going to arrive in Bangui any moment now because there are too many contradictions in their language."

Meanwhile, the United States government also urged its citizens to leave the country and asked Bangui to protect its embassy.

"On December 25, the embassy issued an emergency message to all US citizens in the CAR strongly encouraging them to take advantage of commercial flights to depart the CAR until the security situation improved," the State Department said.

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