Below is a snapshot of events since a March 2013 coup in the Central African Republic, where a transitional parliament voted on Monday for a new interim president.

2013

March 24

- Rebels from the Muslim-dominated group Seleka seize the presidential palace in Bangui. Francois Bozize, who has been in power for 10 years, flees.

March 25

- Seleka leader Michel Djotodia suspends the constitution and says he will rule by decree until elections are held.

- The African Union suspends the CAR and slaps sanctions on Djotodia and six other officials.

May 31

- The country issues an international arrest warrant for Bozize.

August 10

- Bozize says in France that he will try to regain power "if the opportunity presents itself".

August 18

- Djotodia is sworn in as president, vowing to "preserve the peace, to consolidate national unity (and) to ensure the well-being of the Central African people".

September 8-9

- Around 100 people are killed in two days in fighting between ex-Seleka rebels and Christians loyal to Bozize around Bossangoa, 250 kilometres (155 miles) northwest of the capital.

September 13

- Djotodia says he is dissolving the Seleka.

November 19

- The US envoy to the United Nations visits the Central African Republic and warns its people are "in profound danger".

December 5

- France orders another 600 troops into the CAR, doubling its existing force shortly after the UN Security Council issues a green light for the military intervention.

December 7

- French troop numbers increase to 1,600, with a mission to disarm the groups blamed for a spiral of violence. African troops under the same UN mandate number around 4,000.

2014

January 10

- Djotodia resigns under intense pressure for his failure to end the violence after unrest kills more than 1,000 people in the previous month alone.

January 13

- Hundreds of army soldiers who had joined the rebels return to their barracks.

- Interim president Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet, whose parliament is charged with finding a new leader, declares "the party is over".

January 16

- The UN's humanitarian operations director warns of a potential for "genocide" in the country.

January 19

- The Red Cross says at least 50 people have been killed in fresh violence, while the overall toll stands in the thousands.

January 20

- The transitional parliament picks the mayor of Bangui, Catherine Samba-Panza, as interim president. She urges Christian and Muslim militias to lay down their arms. The European Union agrees to send hundreds of troops to help restore peace.