UN Seeks to Quell Muslim, Christian Tensions in CAR

United Nations peacekeepers are trying to ease escalating tensions in the Central African Republic as Muslim and Christian groups launch fresh attacks on each other.

On Thursday, a group of young Christians destroyed one of the last mosques in the capital city of Bangui in retaliation for an attack by Muslim rebels on Notre Dame de Fatima, a Catholic church.

Wednesday's assault on Notre Dame left more than a dozen people dead, including a priest.

That death toll is expected to climb because some of the injured victims were brought to hospitals. Other civilians were abducted by the fighters.

Violence has wrecked Bangui in the five months since a Muslim coalition was ousted from power.

Muslim rebels retaliated by attacking Christians, leading some believers to form a militia and fight back.

Both Muslims and Christians have found sanctuary in the city's churches.

To date, the crisis in Central African Republic has forced nearly 1 million people from their homes.