French troops in Central African Republic to reach 1,600 on Saturday: Hollande

France will increase its troop deployment in Central African Republic to 1,600 soldiers by Saturday evening, French President Francois Hollande said, as it steps up efforts to curb a wave of violence in its former colony. "It's a number that will remain as long as necessary for this mission." Until now, France had said it was sending 1,200 men to Central African Republic.