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STORY: Rebel fighters from the Seleka coalition aimed to cement their seizure of power in Central African Republic by securing the presidential palace in the capital Bangui on Monday, a day after it was looted.
Around 200 Seleka fighters arrived at the palace in a convoy, some shot in the air in celebration before going inside the palace and the residence of ousted president Francois Bozize.
A rebel leader pledged to name a power-sharing government in a bid to defuse international criticism of Sunday's coup that killed 13 South African soldiers and plunged the mineral-rich nation into chaos.
The Seleka rebel coalition's seizure of power was swiftly condemned by the United Nations and the African Union. But in a sign of pragmatism, the United States, France and regional powerbroker Chad called on the insurgents to respect the terms of a recent peace deal.
The Seleka fighters seized power on Sunday after a lightening offensi
