French President Francois Hollande called Thursday for a “permanent European fund” to finance emergency interventions in crises such as the situation in the Central African Republic.
Hollande said he would request the fund, which would be used before peacekeeping operations are in place in crisis zones, during next week’s European Council meeting in Brussels.
“Europe does a lot but it only intervenes from time to time. We need a permanent European fund, not a fund for each individual operation,” he said during a state visit to Brazil.
France has deployed 1,600 soldiers to the notoriously unstable majority-Christian country, which was plunged into chaos when the mainly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in a March coup, overthrowing leader Francois Bozize.
The troops are part of a United Nations-mandated effort to restore order.
Two French troops were killed Monday during clashes near the airport in the capital Bangui. Hollande visited the country following the incident.
“This is not about us (France) providing the armed forces on the ground and demanding that we be paid. We are neither the mercenaries nor the police of Europe,” Hollande said.
“I did not come to power to make war. It’s the circumstances” that led to French operations in Mali and the Central African Republic.
What started as rebel looting of villages and towns in the Central African Republic has degenerated into attacks between Muslim and Christian militias, with some U.N. officials warning of a possible genocide.

France’s Hollande calls for permanent EU crisis fund

Soldiers of the Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC) patrol within the Catholic church in Bangui, Central African Republic, December 10, 2013. (Reuters)
AFP, Sao Paulo
Friday 13 December 2013
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:42 - GMT 06:42
DAY | WEEK |
-
15654 Views Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
-
2474 Views Coronavirus: Police detain 100 in Amsterdam after protest over lockdown, curfew
-
1173 Views Israel talks tough on Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas: Our response to be extreme in next war
-
612 Views German court blocks return of two refugees to Greece, citing risks facing them
-
512 Views Israel says ambassador to Morocco takes up post after 20 years of embassy closure
-
422 Views Saudi Arabia’s FII confirms speakers, details for fourth annual forum
-
24083 Views Coronavirus: Dubai temporarily postpones Pfizer vaccine campaign amid global shortage
-
19770 Views Saudi Arabia’s PIF to invest 3 trillion riyals over next 10 years: Crown Prince
-
15654 Views Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
-
10113 Views The American University of Beirut’s battle for survival
-
8801 Views Full moon to align directly above Kaaba in Mecca on Jan. 28
-
8448 Views Coronavirus: Dubai restaurants offer discounts for vaccinated diners
SHOW MORE