Visiting African Union Chairman Thomas Yayi Boni, who is also president of Benin, on Sunday appealed to rebels in Central African Republic for dialogue instead of violence to end the ongoing political crisis.

Boni made the appeal after a two-hour meeting with President Francois Bozize at the airport of Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic.

In their talks, Bozize reassured that he is ready to go to Libreville, the capital of Gabon, "without conditions and without delay," for dialogue with the civil and armed opposition, Boni told reporters.

On the same occasion, Bozize said he would not be a candidate in the 2016 presidential election and that he would talk with rebels and form a new government.

The AU chief arrived around 1:00 p.m. local time to promote dialogue over the crisis, in which a newly formed rebel coalition Seleka threatens to enter Bangui after taking a string of northern and central towns.

Seleka launched offensives on Dec. 10, citing the government's failure to honor peace accords since signing a cease-fire on April 13, 2007. Under agreements, rebels who have laid down arms should be integrated into the national army or reintegrated into society.

In reply to Bozize's appeal for talks, Seleka on Sunday insisted on his step-down "without condition," but agreed to talks on a cease-fire to show its respect for the AU authority.

The rebellion is a setback to peace efforts since 2006. With the mediation of Gabon, rebels including the Union of Democratic Forces of Reassembly and the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy signed a comprehensive peace agreement with the government on June 21, 2008 in the Gabonese capital Libreville.

On Jan. 19, 2009, a new government was formed one month after an inclusive political dialogue in the capital Bangui. But the formation was seen by critics as a mockery of the Bangui dialogue with officials loyal to President Bozize dominating the cabinet.

Attacks resumed in the restive north soon after the new lineup was announced.

Bozize, who was re-elected in January 2011, is facing the most serious situation since coming to power in a military coup in March 2003, with Seleka rebels advancing as near as 150 km from Bangui.

Amid rebel advances, the United States has deployed 50 troops in Central African Republic to protest its citizens. The measure came after Washington evacuated its ambassador and 40 embassy staff this week.

France, the former colonial ruler of the country, has added 180 troops to its military presence in Bangui to safeguard its interests.

Neither, however, has responded to Bozize's call to help halt the rebel advances, with Paris vowing no intervention this time in its ex-colony.

In another development, the foreign ministers from the member states of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) met in Libreville on Friday over the crisis in Central African Republic.

The ministerial meeting is likely a prelude to a summit for a final decision on the crisis, which is in danger of spilling over to neighboring countries, such as the conflict-stricken Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

On Thursday, Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende said DR Congo is already hosting 4,000 refugees in the aftermath of the crisis in Central African Republic. But the spokesman denied the rebel charges that Kinshasa was backing Bozize's regime in the fighting.

"The Congolese troops have been in Bangui for the last three years under the auspices of the Central Africa Multinational Force (FOMAC)," Mende said.

Foreign ministers from the 10-nation ECCAS on Friday agreed to dispatch more FOMAC troops the Central African Republic.

The country of 5 million has witnessed a series of coups and revolts since its independence from France in 1960. Despite its rich resources of timber, gold, diamond and uranium, the country is ranked as one of the poorest in the world as a result of long- standing instability.