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C. African Republic taps regional banking official to serve as interim prime minister

Associated Press
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A Christian man loots a Muslim house in the PK13 district of Bangui, Central African Republic, Saturday Jan. 25, 2014. Christian Anti-Balaka militias and civilians have virtually flushed all Muslims from the area, claiming their property, looting and dismantling their houses. Christian militiamen killed a prominent Muslim former government minister Friday who supported last year's rebellion, officials said, raising the specter of further sectarian bloodshed. Graffiti is gang tags and the name of a man claiming the house (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)

A Christian man starts to dismantle a door frame of a Muslim owned house in the PK13 district of Bangui, Central African Republic, Saturday Jan. 25, 2014. Christian Anti-Balaka militias and civilians have virtually flushed all Muslims from the area, claiming their property, looting and dismantling their houses. Christian militiamen killed a prominent Muslim former government minister Friday who supported last year's rebellion, officials said, raising the specter of further sectarian bloodshed. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)

Christian men loot building materials from a Muslim owned house in the PK13 district of Bangui, Central African Republic, Saturday Jan. 25, 2014. Christian Anti-Balaka militias and civilians have virtually flushed all Muslims from the area, claiming their property, looting and dismantling their houses. Christian militiamen killed a prominent Muslim former government minister Friday who supported last year's rebellion, officials said, raising the specter of further sectarian bloodshed. Graffiti is name of a man claiming the house. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)

The interim government in Central African Republic has chosen a regional banking official to serve as prime minister.

The presidency announced Saturday the selection of Andre Nzapayeke, who has held several positions with the Central African States' Development Bank, called BDEAC by its French acronym.

An interim government is being formed since coup leader Michel Djotodia stepped aside nearly 10 months after he and thousands of armed fighters overthrew the president in March 2013.

A national transitional council already has chosen Bangui Mayor Catherine Samba-Panza to serve as president, making her the country's first female leader.

Critics already question how much power the transitional government can wield, as thousands of African and French peacekeepers have been unable to stop mounting sectarian attacks between Christian and Muslim militias and civilians.