Corpses displayed in protest in Central African Republic

Another four bodies of civilians and four bodies of members of armed groups were deposited at a mosque in the PK5 neighborhood, confirmed Djibrine Youssouf, president of the neighborhood merchants' association.

The U.N. said a Rwandan peacekeeper was killed and eight others were wounded Tuesday during "an exchange of fire with armed elements" for several hours in the capital, Bangui.

The U.N. said the attack occurred two days after its peacekeepers and local security forces launched a joint operation in PK5 to arrest and disarm armed criminal groups.

But a statement by Central African Republic's defense minister said the country's armed forces had not been involved. The minister urged residents of the capital to remain calm.

The U.N. peacekeeping chief in a separate statement said the new operation against armed groups was meant to protect the population from "criminal elements."

The U.N. Security Council late Wednesday condemned the attack on U.N. peacekeepers in Bangui "in the strongest terms."

The council called for "calm and restraint" and reiterated its demand "that all armed groups, in Bangui and in the rest of the country, cease all forms of violence and destabilizing activities, lay down their arms, and engage constructively in the peace process immediately and unconditionally."

Council members expressed support for efforts by the U.N. peacekeeping force and the Central African Republic's government "to stabilize the situation in Bangui and protect all civilians."