UN members asked to back France on Central African Republic

An international group of lawmakers Wednesday called on all the UN member states to back the French government's efforts to stop the "unspeakable horrors" happening in the Central African Republic.

According to the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), the African nation appeared to be "on the verge of genocide," reports Xinhua.

"The current situation in the Central African Republic is alarming. Reports are emerging almost daily of an escalation of an already profoundly grave set of circumstances on the ground," PGA president and New Zealand Member of Parliament Ross Robertson said.

Further to a UN Security Council resolution, Robertson called on all sides in the Central African Republic to immediately curb hostilities and refrain from all acts of violence.

He also called on all UN member states to support the French government in its efforts to reverse "the growing tide of appalling and murderous violence".

France will increase its troops to 1,000 in the Central African Republic to help restore stability in that country, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Tuesday.

It has already sent 400 troops to the country where sectarian clashes forced thousands of people to flee after rebels overthrew former president Francois Bozize in March.