"We have counted 394 dead in the last three days. Calm has returned to Bangui even if there are still some abuses here and there," Fabius told France 3 television.
French troops poured into the impoverished landlocked country yesterday after President Francois Hollande announced he was boosting a UN-mandated French force to 1,600 soldiers.
"There are a certain number of operations under way throughout the country, and operations to disarm Seleka will begin," Fabius said, referring to the mostly Muslim rebel fighters who were behind a coup in March.
"The problem is that some (Seleka fighters) are abandoning their fatigues to dress as civilians, making it difficult.