Holland: We're Sending Troops Into The Central African Republic

PARIS (Reuters) - President Francois Hollande said a French-led military operation to protect civilians in the Central African Republic would be launched immediately following authorization from the U.N. Security Council.

"I have decided to act immediately, in other words, this evening," Hollande told journalists.

He added that the number of French troops present in the poor landlocked nation, currently 600, would be doubled as early as this evening thanks to reinforcements from neighboring states.