French Defense Chief Urges Crackdown on C.Africa Militias

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday called on the international forces deployed in the restive Central African Republic to put an end to brutal attacks by the country's militias, "by force if needed".

"All militias, who continue to be involved in mob violence and commit murder, must stop," Le Drian said during a visit to Brazzaville in neighboring Congo.

French troops and the African Union-led MISCA mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) must "implement the U.N. resolutions, by force if needed", he added.

There are currently 5,300 AU troops on the ground in CAR and the force is expected to reach 6,000 by March.

CAR, a former French colony, descended into chaos last March after rebels overthrew the government, sparking deadly Christian-Muslim violence that has uprooted a million people out of a population of 4.6 million.

France has deployed 1,600 troops, while the United States is providing logistical support.

Le Drian, who is on a tour of central African nations, said France would pursue its mission in the strife-torn nation with determination.

On Monday, the commander of French troops in the Central African Republic accused militia groups known as the "anti-balaka" of being the country's "main enemy of peace".

The mainly Christian vigilantes have been accused of brutal attacks against Muslims after the ouster of president Francois Bozize in March 2013 by mainly Muslim rebels led by Michel Djotodia, who resigned last month after failing to end the sectarian violence.

"Those who call themselves 'anti-balaka' have become the main enemy of peace in the Central African Republic," General Francisco Soriano said in a meeting in Bangui with the impoverished country's religious leaders, accusing the militia of inciting violence by "stigmatizing" certain areas as Muslim.

The remarks came the day after a member of the country's transitional parliament, Jean-Emmanuel Ndjaroua, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in the capital blamed on the anti-balaka.

On Saturday the head of the MISCA force, General Martin Tumenta Chomu of Cameroon, had also warned "outlaws" and "thugs" that his troops would put an end to their activities.

In a separate development, French troops on Tuesday uncovered a major arms cache, including explosives and ammunition, in a house in a northern Bangui stronghold of the anti-balaka militia.

Nothing is known about the owner of the weapons but they will be taken to a French camp and destroyed, a French military official said.

In the PK12 district in northern Bangui displaced Muslims and militias clashed late Monday, leaving at least seven people wounded, witnesses said.