U.S. Department of State

On-Camera Daily Press Briefing Index

Central African Republic talks in Libreville scheduled for Monday between the Bozize government and the rebels. Any U.S. support for that, or expectations from it?

MS. NULAND: Let me just find what we did with that. Here it is, yeah.

So we are encouraged that all of the Central African Republic parties have agreed to participate in the Libreville talks, which are going to start on January 8th. We encourage them all to use this as an opportunity to really try to negotiate a comprehensive, inclusive political resolution consistent with the Central African Republic's constitution, and to ensure full implementation of the 2008 peace agreement.

In particular, we hope that the Libreville talks will result in a cessation of hostilities; full participation by the government, the rebel alliance, and political opposition and civil society in the talks; and, as I said, a political solution that's consistent with the CAR constitution; and a commitment by all parties to protect innocents, to protect the civilian population moving forward.

(The briefing was concluded at 1:38 p.m.)