CAR President And Prime Minister Resign

The president of the Central African Republic has resigned over violence that has killed more than 1,000 people in the country.

Michel Djotodia agreed to step down alongside his prime minister, Nicolas Tiengaye.

The country has seen spiralling violence between the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels who brought him to power last year, and Christian militias.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in the past month alone.

The resignations came as the two men met African leaders in Chad to try to find a solution to the crisis.

Thousands of protesters in the CAR capital, Bangui, took to the streets on Friday calling for Mr Djotodia to resign.

He was due to step down in a year's time, following a transitional period, but the bloodshed in the country intensified calls for him to go sooner.

Mr Djotodia forced his way to power in a March 2013 coup that saw him become the first Muslim leader of the Christian-majority country.

He set up a transitional council and promised open elections but unrest and sectarian fighting began within months.

Violence such as machete attacks and rapes are a "daily occurrence", says Sky News Special Correspondent Alex Crawford, who is in the CAR.

She said: "There are a huge number of people being attacked: Djotodia's men - rebels who he's lost control of, and these Christian militia that have been set up in response ... There doesn't appear to be anyone in control."

More than one million people have fled their homes over fears of being attacked, while some 100,000 have sought protection from the French troops controlling Bangui airport.

Former colonial power France has 1,600 troops in the country and around 6,000 African Union forces are also helping peacekeeping efforts.

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