UN envoy urges 'substantial increase' in peacekeepers in Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS: The UN envoy to the Central African Republic, Mankeur Ndiaye, on Thursday called on the Security Council for a "substantial increase" in peacekeeping operations in the country after recent deadly attacks by armed groups.

The increase must be accompanied by "greater mobility" by the peacekeepers, he added, also referring to "great desertion" by the Central African security forces since December.