U.S. condemns violence in Central African Republic

The U.S. government on Monday condemned the recent violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) where rebels seized control of the country's capital on Sunday.

"We do condemn a seizing of power by force by the Seleka Rebel Alliance, and the appointment by Seleka of a president outside of any constitutional framework," said State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell at a briefing.

Ventrell's statement came after rebels on Sunday seized control of CAR's capital, after President Francois Bozize fled the presidential palace in Bangui. On Monday, 13 South African peacekeeping soldiers were confirmed killed in a clash with the rebels.

The rebels in CAR began seizing towns last December, but later abandoned the mission and signed a truce with the government. However, the deal, which allows Bozize to continue to rule until 2016, quickly unraveled.

Ventrell called on CAR's rebels to recognize the "continued legitimacy" of the truce deal and provide "full support" to current Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye and his government.

As to whether what happened in the African country is a coup, Ventrell said that is something that Washington is reviewing.

"You know that there's always a legal review before the U.S. makes that determination, and we'll continue to look at it," he told reporters.