Ex-president of Central African Republic 'goes into exile'

More than a dozen people have died in the Central African Republic as clashes continue following the resignation of the country's president.

ITV News Africa Correspondent Rohit Kachroo reports:

Central African Republic's former president Michel Djotodia travelled to Benin where he will go into exile, government sources in Chad and Benin told Reuters.

Djotodia, who was swept to power last March by northern rebels, resigned along with his prime minister on Friday under intense international pressure after they failed to halt months of inter-religious violence.

Background: Celebrations and uncertainty as CAR's president resigns

A UN migration agency is due to start airlifting thousands of foreign nationals from the Central African Republic, following appeals from neighbouring African countries.

The International Organization for Migration has said the first three IOM charter flights this weekend will repatriate some 800 Chadians from the war torn CAR capital of Bangui to the Chadian capital N’Djamena.

In a statement, the IOM added: "IOM has received requests for assistance from Chad, Niger, Mali, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evacuate thousands of their most vulnerable, stranded nationals.

"The organisation is also working with Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon to provide post arrival re-integration assistance to migrants evacuated by their governments."

Doubts have been raised over who can lead the warring Central African Republic despite widespread celebrations across the country at interim president Michel Djotodia's resignation.

A French diplomatic source said there were "no outstanding candidates" and added: "It is important this transition happens as quickly as possible."

France had repeatedly voiced frustrations with Djotodia's government at the ongoing inter-religious violence after sending hundreds of troops to its former colony last month to support an effort to restore peace.

Thousands of people have joined celebrations in the Central African Republic following the resignations of interim president Michel Djotodia and his prime minister Nicolas Tiangaye.

Mr Djotodia caved in to international pressure to stand down after failing to stop inter-religious violence which has left thousands dead and more than one million people displaced since he claimed power last March.

The departures were announced in a statement issued after a two-day summit in neighbouring Chad. It confirmed talks to decide on new leadership will take place in the Central African Republic.

ITV News Africa correspondent Rohit Kachroo is in the Central African Republic capital:

Central African Republic interim president Michel Djotodia has resigned, a statement said.

ITV News Africa Correspondent Rohit Kachroo is in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic: