UN chief visits strife-torn CAR

BANGUI - UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrived in the Central African Republic on Tuesday to assess the country's fragile security situation as violence between militias threatens to intensify.

Crowds of people braving heavy rain lined the road from Bangui airport to the capital to greet him.

In his four-day stay, the UN chief will hold talks with political leaders in Bangui and visit the southeastern town of Bangassou, in one of the worst-hit regions for violence.

He is also expected to meet victims of sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers - part of an effort to address damaging allegations that have hit the blue helmets in several missions.

In the run-up to Guterres's visit, Christian and Muslim leaders urged the United Nations to overhaul its peacekeeping strategy, which some have criticised as being too passive.

"A revision of strategy" has to go hand-in-hand with a mandate for UN troop renewal, Protestant leader Nicolas Guerekoyamene-Gbangou told AFP during a joint interview on Saturday with the country's Muslim and Catholic leaders. The UN has a force of some 12 500 troops and police on the ground in CAR to help protect civilians and support the government of FaustinArchange Touadera, who was elected last year. Known as MINUSCA, its mandate - which expires on November 15 - is due to be renewed, and Guterres is looking for reinforcements.

. – AFP.