France sends 350 extra troops to Central African Republic

France has sent 350 soldiers to the Central African Republic, whose capital Bangui has been taken by rebels, to ensure the security of French nationals and other foreigners, a senior official said Sunday. A first contingent of 200 troops arrived in Bangui on Saturday and 150 more were despatched Sunday from Libreville, the capital of Gabon, the source said. France now has nearly 600 troops in its notoriously unstable former colony.