Bozize names members of transitional law-making body

Francois Bozize, the new leader of the Central African Republic (CAR), has established a 63-member National Transitional Council (NTC) to serve as an advisory and transitional law-making organ, the government-owned Radio Centrafrique reported on Friday. The NTC will assist the president "in his legislative functions...[and] the government in the drafting of the [new] constitution and the preparation of general elections", a presidential decree issued on Thursday said. Bozize took power on 15 March in a coup against president Ange-Felix Patasse and subsequently dissolved the cabinet and suspended the constitution. He formed a transitional government on 31 March. The NTC is expected to meet every three months, except in cases of emergencies. Its membership comprises: all former heads of state, 12 representatives of political parties, 17 from the country's provinces and towns, six from labour unions, three from religious communities, five from professional associations, two from the businessmen’s association, two from the small-scale traders’ association, four from human rights bodies, two from women’s organisations, two from youth organisations, two from the armed forces, two from the gendarmerie, two from farmers’ associations, two from the magistrates’ association and one from the police. The decree did not say when the NTC will hold its first meeting.