The rebels said they had halted their advance on the capital of Bangui on Wednesday and would start peace talks, averting a clash with regionally-backed troops.

President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan has agreed to meet with President Salva Kiir Miyardeit of South Sudan on Friday in Ethiopia to discuss border security and oil sharing.

President François Bozizé on Tuesday urged rebels threatening to enter the capital to lay down their arms and let him complete the last three years of his term.

Prosecutors in Cairo opened a criminal investigation on Tuesday into allegations that a popular television comedian, Bassem Youssef, has taken special aim at ultraconservative Islamists on his program.

At least three people died and thousands were left homeless after several fast-moving fires swept through a crowded slum at the edge of Cape Town on Tuesday.