French defence minister says new mass grave found in Central African Republic

PARIS – France’s defence minister says French intelligence services have reported the discovery of a new mass grave in Central African Republic.

In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Jean-Yves Le Drian said an intelligence memo Tuesday morning described a mass grave of about 15 people outside the capital Bangui. He did not elaborate on where or who the victims were.

Since December, France has deployed 1,600 troops and a U.N.-backed coalition of African states has sent about 4,600 to help end violence between Christians and Muslims that has left hundreds dead.

Without France’s deployment, Le Drian said, “it would have been massive massacres everywhere.”

European Union foreign ministers Monday approved a potential joint military force of about 500 troops to assist the French and African forces in Central African Republic.