Intense gunfire in troubled CAR leaves 13 dead

13 people were killed in intense shooting across the troubled Central African Republic capital Bangui, the Red Cross confirmed.

It said the casaulties were caused following the second consecutive night of intense gunfire since the president, Michel Djotodia, announced his resignation.

Local Red Cross president Antoine Mbao-Bogo said the victims were mostly targeted in isolated incidents of "score-settling".

The death toll is expected to increase.

Neighbourhoods and streets were deserted as residents stayed indoors fearing further violence.

Djotodia seized power in March, backed by his mostly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance.

CAR has been plunged into chaos as the country's Christian majority seeks revenge against Muslim rebels, with the fighting between religious groups intensifying in December.

UN officials have told the Security Council that the country is on the brink of a catastrophe, with half the population made homeless since ethnic warfare broke out.

However, on Friday, he agreed to step aside along with his prime minister at a regional summit in Chad amid mounting pressure over his failure to stem widespread violence between Muslims and Christians.

He sought exile on Saturday in the West African nation of Benin.

A report in late December by Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, reported 600 deaths in Bangui in those attacks, and Feltman put the current total at "750 casualties".