The first reinforcements to the French force in the Central African Republic (CAR) are deploying in a bid to restore order after a rebel takeover, reports the BBC.
Some 200 troops have arrived, with another 500 expected imminently.
Some former rebel forces have reportedly been leaving the capital, Bangui, as the French troops arrived in the city.
More than 10% of the 4.6 million population have fled their homes since Michel Djotodia seized power in March.
He is the country's first leader from the minority Muslim community and Muslim-Christian sectarian attacks have led to warnings of a genocide.
The UN is due to discuss taking control of the peacekeeping force this week.
There are currently some 2,500 African troops in CAR, due to be increased to 3,600 by January 2014.
While 460,000 people need shelter, more than a million require food aid, the UN says.
It is not known how many people have been killed in the conflict this year because it is too dangerous to access the rural areas where most killings occur, a UN spokeswoman told the BBC.
Read more of this report from the BBC.