The Central African Republic's government and the Seleka rebels are holding peace talks in Gabon, but both sides are refusing to back down from the conflict.

The rebels have called on President Francois Bozize to step down and be charged in an international criminal court for alleged war crimes, including "detentions and false imprisonment, kidnappings, disappearances, assassinations and summary executions".

The statements came a day after Bozize accused the rebels of being foreign-backed "mercenary terrorists".

Andrew Simmons reports from Bangui.