France has sent its troops into Central African Republic to safeguard the airport of Bangui after rebels entered the northern suburbs of the African country's capital, media reports said on Saturday.

According to earlier reports, the Seleka rebel coalition on Saturday afternoon entered the northern suburbs of Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, Xinhua's staff at the scene reported.

South African troops in Bangui for the military training of local soldiers were quickly retreating to the Presidential Palace in the city, where power supply was cut off hours ago.

Meanwhile, France has called for an emergenct meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the crisis in the former French colony.

The country of 5 million population has been gripped by instability and poverty since its independence from France in 1960.