PTI: The US todayannounced to deploy its military planes to transport troops from Burundi to the Central African Republic as part of a French-led affort to help quell violence there.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel issued such a direction to US AFRICOM to begin transporting forces from Burundi to the Central African Republic, in coordination with France, the Pentagon said.

The request in this regard was made by the French Minister of Defense Yves Le Drian during a telephonic call with Hagel. "Minister Le Drian requested limited assistance from the United States military to support this international effort.

In the near term, France has requested airlift support to enable African forces to deploy promptly to prevent the further spread of sectarian violence in the Central African Republic," Assistant Press Secretary Carl Woog said.