French helicopters "Puma" prepare to land at a military base camp in Cameroon on December 6, 2013.
French troops have captured the key town of Bossangoa in the Central African Republic (CAR), as they press ahead with their military operations.
Late on Saturday, soldiers reached the town, 300 kilometers (190 miles) north of the capital, where some 30 people have been reported killed in three days of clashes.
Earlier this week, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution, giving the African Union and France the go-ahead to send troops to the CAR.
France claims the aim of the mission is to create stability in the country in order to allow humanitarian aid to reach violence-hit areas.
The recent fighting in CAR began when Christian militias, who support ousted President Francois Bozizé, attacked several Muslim neighborhoods of Bangui.
The Red Cross says nearly 400 people have been killed by the recent fighting only in the capital Bangui and that the death toll could rise.
There are many mineral resources, including gold and diamond, in the Central African Republic. However, the country is extremely poor and has faced a series of rebellions and coups since it gained independence in 1960.
NT/HN/AS
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