Bangui — The leader of the African Union, Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi, proposed a government of national unity to resolve the rebel conflict in the Central African Republic.

Boni Yayi arrived Sunday to try to find a negotiated resolution to the country's crisis. He met with President Francois Bozize and then made an appeal to the rebels. Bozize said, in a pres conference following his meeting with Yavi, that he is willing to enter into a coalition government with the rebels who have taken control of a third of his country and are poised outside the capital.

Earlier in the day, representatives of the Seleka rebel alliance warned they would enter the capital Bangui soon, despite their agreement with Bozize's government to hold unconditional talks early next month.