Nearly 100 Dead as Fighting Sweeps Through Bangui, Central African Republic Ahead of UN-Authorized French Intervention

Clashes between pro-government Muslim fighters and Christian militias

Fighting swept through the capital of Central African Republic on Thursday, leaving nearly one hundred people dead and posing the biggest threat yet to the country's new government. The U.N. Security Council authorized an intervention force to prevent a bloodbath between Christians and Muslims.

Witnesses and aid workers say at least 98 people are dead in Bangui after a day of clashes between the Muslim armed fighters who rule the country and a Christian militia who opposes them.