The multinational force of the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) has vowed to protect the town of Damara which is situated 70 km from Bangui, against attacks from the Seleka coalition of rebels which is threatening to overthrow the government of Central African Republic's President Francois Bozize.

The promise to protect the town was made on Wednesday by the commander of the force, General Jean-Felix Akaga, who addressed a press conference in Bangui.

"Let it be clear that we shall not cede Damara. If the rebels attack Damara, that will mean that they have resolved to fight against all the ten regional member states," he said.

While expressing hope that the rebels will not take such an extreme measure, the commander of the Central Africa Multinational Force (FOMAC) insisted that Damara town is the "red line which the rebels cannot be allowed to cross."

The troops from different CEEAC countries are currently being deployed towards the town of Damara to reinforce the figure of 400 soldiers who are already there, bringing their number to a total of 700 officers.

Akaga expressed hope that FOMAC was capable of saving Damara town from the attacks of the rebels. At the moment, Bangui is militarily protected against any attack by rebels.

On their part, the rebels who have been based at Sibut, 160 km North of Bangui since Saturday, have not made any progress. They have expressed their desire to dialogue with the government in order to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

During his traditional New Year message, President Bozize expressed his desire not just to dialogue with the Seleka rebels, but also with the entire Central African Republic's political class.

The president made the remarks just a day before meeting with Benin's President Boni Yayi who is also the current African Union chairman.

Despite the semblance of calm, the residents of Bangui town are still living in fear. The New Year festival was silently marked in each family due to the restrictions that had been brought about by the curfew which was imposed by the government due to security reasons.