The Central African Republic (CAR) government denied 9 January reports that rebels had captured the town of Damara, 80 km northeast of the capital, Bangui. There are persistent reports that the rebels had even reached points 10 km from Bangui and that they would re-enter the capital in even greater numbers than when they invaded it on 25 October 2002. Government forces currently control the southwest and, theoretically, the easternmost part of the country. Some government-held zones behind rebel positions remain isolated from Bangui and exposed to frequent attacks. The rebels control cities in the country's center and northwest. - Adam Geibel