DHAKA: France has announced plans to increase its 1,600-strong military deployment in the Central African Republic by sending an additional 400 soldiers, as political and sectarian unrest continues to tear apart the African country .

Friday`s decision to boost French military presence in the former colony to 2,000 soldiers comes as thousands of Muslims, who tried to flee the sectarian violence in the capital of the former French colony, were turned back by peacekeepers, reports Al-Jazeera.

Tens of thousands of Muslims have fled for their lives in the Central African Republic as Christian militiamen have stepped up their attacks in recent weeks.

French forces are working alongside nearly 6,000 African peacekeepers.

President Francois Hollande`s office also urged other countries to show "increased solidarity" and called on the United Nations Security Council to accelerate the deployment of peacekeeping troops in the country.

About a quarter of the population has been displaced by fighting and at least 2,000 people have been killed in Central African Republic since the mostly Muslim Seleka rebel group seized power last March in the majority Christian country.

The fleeing Muslims, most of whom hoped to seek asylum in Chad, were surrounded by crowds of angry Christians shouting "we`re going to kill you all." according to the Associated Press.

BDST: 0918 HRS, FEB 15, 2014
RS