The President of the Central African Republic Michel Djotodia, said he could not stop armed groups operating in the country, as a wave of killings left hundreds dead in just a few days.

"It is too much to say I have no control. I control my men. The men I can't control are not my men," said Djotodia, who came to power after a mainly Muslim armed group now known as Seleka overthrew President Francois Bozize earlier this year. 

The mostly Muslim former rebels who control the country are patrolling neighbourhoods across the capital of Bangui, despite an order to return to their barracks.

The Red Cross says 400 bodies have been found after three days of fighting between Seleka and a largely Christian armed group named Anti-Balaka ["anti-machete", the weapon of choice of many Seleka fighters].

Meanwhile, thousands more international troops are on their way to the embattled country.

The African Union has around 2,500 troops there now, but is increasing that to 6,000, in addition to 1,200 French troops which have been bolstered by the arrival of 400 more soldiers.

On Saturday, the country's interim authorities ordered all forces except foreign peacekeepers and the presidential guard off the streets of Bangui, after a hospital in the capital was being attacked by Seleka rebels.

The gunmen reportedly pulled injured victims from Bangui's Amitie hospital, and shot dead at least ten and the hospital has since been abandoned.

According to the source however, the Anti-Balaka group contains elements of Bozize's army, and is regrouping outside the capital, awaiting reinforcements.