Zuma to pull SA troops out of CAR

South African troops will pull out of the Central African Republic, President Jacob Zuma told a regional summit on the post-coup crisis yesterday.

"President Zuma has decided to withdraw the South African forces which are deployed in Bangui," Chadian President Idriss Deby said, adding that Zuma was ready to provide troops in the future if necessary.

Zuma had faced searching questions over the presence of South African troops, 13 of whom were killed in the bloody battle for the capital, Bangui, which was over-run by Seleka rebels, who drove President François Bozizé from power 10 days ago.

African heads of state decided at yesterday's summit that it was impossible to recognise rebel chief Michel Djotodia as president and want the war-torn country to elect a transitional president

"As things stand now, it is impossible to recognise a self-proclaimed president," Deby said. "A committee selected by national figures must lead the transition. This body will have the executive role and must vote for a transitional president who would serve for no more than 18 months.

Deby said a legislative body would also be established in Chad's southern neighbour to "draw up a constitution and take on the role of parliament".

Starting today, a mission comprising ministers from the Economic Community of Central African States, its partners and representatives of the African Union, EU and an international organisation of French-speaking states will go to CAR "to take the message to Central Africans".