South Africa army chickens out of CAR

N'Djamena - South African troops will pull out of Central African Republic (CAR), President Jacob Zuma told a regional summit on the post-coup crisis on Wednesday.

"President Zuma has decided to withdraw the South African forces which are deployed in Bangui," Chadian President Idriss Deby said, adding that Zuma was ready to provide troops in the future if necessary.

Zuma had faced prickly questions over the presence of his troops, 13 of whom were killed in the bloody battle for the capital, Bangui.

Earlier, Deby said that African heads of state decided that it was impossible to recognise rebel chief Michel Djotodia as president of CAR, and want the country to elect a transitional president.

"As things stand now, it is impossible to recognise a self-proclaimed president," he told journalists.

"A committee selected by national figures must lead the transition. This body will have the executive role and must vote for a transitional president" who would serve for no more than 18 months.

Deby added that a legislative body would also be established in Chad's southern neighbour "which will draw up a constitution and take on the role of parliament".