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C. African Republic president expected to face pressure to step down at regional summit

Associated Press
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Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia boards a plane to Chad, at Mpoko Airport in Bangui, Central African Republic, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. The embattled president, who has come under growing pressure to resign, traveled to neighboring Chad on Wednesday for a summit with regional leaders who want to end the bloodshed that has left more than 1,000 dead and nearly a million people displaced.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (The Associated Press)

Former Seleka walk away as a Chadian plane carrying Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia departs for Ndjamena, at Mpoko Airport in Bangui, Central African Republic, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. The embattled president, who has come under growing pressure to resign, traveled to neighboring Chad on Wednesday for a summit with regional leaders who want to end the bloodshed that has left more than 1,000 dead and nearly a million people displaced. (AP Photo / Rebecca Blackwell) (The Associated Press)

Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia gives a cursory wave as he boards a plane to Chad, at Mpoko Airport in Bangui, Central African Republic, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. The embattled president, who has come under growing pressure to resign, traveled to neighboring Chad on Wednesday for a summit with regional leaders who want to end the bloodshed that has left more than 1,000 dead and nearly a million people displaced.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) (The Associated Press)

The rebel leader-turned-president of Central African Republic is at a regional summit where he's expected to face renewed pressure to step aside less than a year after he seized power.

Michel Djotodia was installed as president after his rebel fighters stormed the capital of Bangui last March. The country has since deteriorated into near-anarchy.

Violence between Christians and Muslims left more than 1,000 people dead in December and nearly 1 million have fled their homes in fear.

Djotodia is attending a regional summit Thursday in the Chadian capital along with presidents from Chad, Congo and Gabon.

His spokesman has issued a statement denying rumors that Djotodia will step down at the meeting.

Djotodia's critics say he has failed to stem the attacks blamed on his fighters.