Accusing Mr Bozize of running a parallel administration and failing to release political prisoners, Seleka withdrew Mr Djotodia, along with three of his colleagues, from the government about a week before launching an assault on Bangui.

BBC: Michel Djotodia: Central African Republic rebel leader

As Ms Gottemoeller points out, if it has a historical parallel, it is probably with what the Eisenhower administration did in the late 1950s.

ECONOMIST: Rock-solid allies? No. But certainly enemies no longer

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said the Clinton administration, working with Israel, is developing "a parallel process" in which security measures by the Palestinians would be coordinated with an Israeli pullback on the West Bank.

CNN: Middle East peace talks begin in Maryland