Updated

The head of the United Nations is visiting Central African Republic for the first time since the country erupted into sectarian bloodshed four months ago.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a stop Saturday in the capital of Bangui en route to Rwanda, where world leaders are arriving to mark the 20th anniversary of the genocide there.

Ban is due to address Central African Republic's National Transitional Council and also plans to meet with interim President Catherine Samba-Panza.

Ban has been among the most vocal world figures urging action in the central African country, where tens of thousands of Muslims have fled the country fearing for their lives.

The U.N. chief says the existing African peacekeeping mission needs reinforcements, though it would be months before a U.N. mission could be operational.