Thousands of Christians have fled to a Central African Republic airport guarded by French soldiers, seeking refuge from mostly Muslim ex-rebels who rule the country.

French troops have begun military operations in the Central African Republic, trying to quell violence in the capital a day after armed Christian fighters raided Muslim neighbourhoods, leaving nearly 100 people dead.

PRESIDENT Jacques Chirac, shaken by the defeat of the European Union constitution, appointed Dominique de Villepin, a loyalist who jetted around the globe galvanising international opposition to the Iraq war, as prime minister to lead a new government yesterday.

SADDAM HUSSEIN'S trial raises the spectre of another international disagreement over Iraq should the deposed dictator be put to death?

Saddam Hussein’s trial raises the spectre of another international disagreement over Iraq – should the deposed dictator be put to death?