Zuma Urges C.Africa Neighbours to Help Avert Crisis

South Africa's president on Friday urged neighboring countries to help stabilize the violence-wracked Central African Republic, indicating that unrest in the coup-hit nation could otherwise spread throughout the region.

Attending an international meeting on ways to stabilize the political situation in the landlocked nation, Jacob Zuma said "no effort" should be spared in finding solutions to bring stability to the entire central African region.

"We call on all those in positions of responsibility and leadership to ensure that the needless suffering of the people in the Central African Republic is brought to an end," he told fellow participants at the meeting in Brazzaville.

The Seleka rebel coalition seized power in Central Africa by ousting leader Francois Bozize on March 24 and has since struggled to establish order in the capital, Bangui, where many now live in fear amid ceaseless looting and other violence.

Zuma also said the alleged coup attempt in Chad earlier this week, when at least three people were killed, was worrying for the region as a whole.

"Reports of the attempted forceful change of government in the sister country of Chad, just across the border, a few days ago, are very disturbing," he said, adding an "urgent" solution was required to what he called "the chronic instability of the region."

The gathering in Brazzaville was also attended by participants representing several of the 10-nation members of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).