BANGUI
Three Christians have been killed in gunfire in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, with Muslims denying involvement in the attack.
"We heard gunfire overnight but we did not dare leave our house to see what happened," a resident told Anadolu Agency, requesting anonymity.
According to neighbors, a man, a woman and their 14-year-old daughter were found dead in their house in Bazanga district in Bangui.
Following the killing, angry residents carried the dead bodies to the premier's office to demand the government restore security.
"The government has done nothing to restore security to the country," one of the demonstrators told AA.
Muslim spokesman Saoudi Abdurahmane Doudou, for his part, denied the involvement of Muslims in the killing.
"How Muslims can commit this when they are unable to move in this area," Doudou told AA.
The mineral-rich country descended into anarchy one year ago when Seleka rebels – said to be mostly Muslim – ousted Christian President Francois Bozize, who had come to power in a 2003 coup.
Since last December, thousands, mostly Muslims, have been killed in sectarian bloodletting throughout the country.
According to the UN refugee agency, around 173,000 people had been internally displaced while 37,000 others had fled to neighboring countries.
By Sylvestre Krock
englishnews@aa.com.tr
