The Security Council votes to authorize increased military action by France and African troops in the Central African Republican during a meeting at United Nations headquarters on Thursday, 5 December 2013 (Photo: AP)
Germany said Friday it was ready to offer transport and refuelling aircraft to the French military operation in the conflict-torn Central African Republic (CAR).
The German military has five A310 transport aircraft available and would likely offer to fly French forces and equipment to the region if requested, a defence ministry spokesman said.
Unlike in a combat operation, the German parliament would not have to vote on such logistical support, as the flights would head to a country neighbouring CAR, added the spokesman at a regular press conference.
The UN Security Council gave the green light on Thursday for French and African troops to be deployed to the African state, which has plunged into chaos since the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels ousted the president in a coup in March.
France's President Francois Hollande has ordered 600 more troops to the country, doubling its force in and around the capital Bangui, which was the scene of Christian-Muslim fighting Thursday that left more than 140 civilians dead, according to a United Nations tally.
London had already offered France logistical support with a C-17 military aircraft.
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