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Central African Republic to hold talks with rebels
Tensions have been rising in the capital, Bangui, as the rebels advanced
The government of the Central African Republic and rebels have agreed to hold talks after weeks of clashes.
A regional delegation said no pre-conditions had been set for the talks which will be held in Libreville, capital of neighbouring Gabon.
The announcement comes after government troops and rebel fighters clashed in the central town of Bambari on Friday.
Rapid gains by the Seleka rebels have raised fears that CAR's capital Bangui could fall within a few days.
Officials from regional blocs including Eccas (the Economic Community of Central African States) confirmed the agreement to the BBC after a two-day mission in Bangui.
They said the talks should start "within the next few days".
Fears over the deteriorating security situation in CAR led to the US evacuating its embassy in Bangui and the UN pull out non-essential staff.
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Analysis
Most of the rebels have taken up arms against President Bozize's government before. But this time their campaign has been swift and they appear to have a chain of command that works. It also seems that these rebels have not been looting much - usually a sign that they are well kept and fed.
So where do they find their resources? Outside support for the rebel coalition cannot be ruled out. Neighbouring Chad has been fingered by some observers as a potential rebel supporter. Could Chad's President Idriss Deby want President Bozize replaced, even though Mr Deby helped him take power almost 10 years ago.
Though Chadian troops have been deployed to save Mr Bozize in the past, and they are again stationed outside Bangui as a buffer should rebels advance on the capital, Mr Deby's intentions seem unclear.
However, Mr Deby has always wanted a close ally to the south. The rebels are an unlikely alliance of splinter factions with different interests and may well split should they reach Bangui. Should that happen, it could plunge CAR into chaos - potentially sucking in Chad.
The government and rebels blamed each other for the fresh fighting around Bambari early on Friday.
However, diplomatic sources said the army had tried and failed to retake the town from the rebels.
BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says the failure to reclaim the town may have convinced the government that it couldn't set pre-conditions for talks.
Seleka - an alliance of three rebel groups - took Bambari last Sunday having earlier seized the rich diamond mining area around Bria.
CAR President Francois Bozize appealed on Thursday for France - the former colonial power - and the US to help stop the rebel advance.
However, the plea fell on deaf ears.
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault reiterated on Friday that France would only intervene to protect its own nationals there.
Seleka accuses Mr Bozize of failing to honour a 2007 peace deal under which fighters who laid down their arms were meant to be paid.
The rebels have pledged to depose Mr Bozize unless he negotiates with them.
They began their campaign a month ago and have taken several towns in their push towards the capital.