Paris: France`s defence minister says French intelligence services have reported the discovery of a new mass grave in Central African Republic.
In an interview, Jean-Yves Le Drian said an intelligence memo today described a mass grave of about 15 people outside the capital Bangui. He did not elaborate on where or who the victims were.
Since December, France has deployed 1,600 troops and a UN-backed coalition of African states has sent about 4,600 to help end violence between Christians and Muslims that has left hundreds dead.
Without France`s deployment, Le Drian said, "it would have been massive massacres everywhere."
European Union foreign ministers yesterday approved a potential joint military force of about 500 troops to assist the French and African forces in Central African Republic.
