France denies cover-up of alleged child sex abuse by troops

A French soldier taking part in 'Operation Sangaris' standing guard as Muslim people wait to seek refuge at the Boali church, some 100km north of Bangui. By Eric Feferberg (AFP/File)

Paris (AFP) - France on Thursday denied trying to cover up a potentially devastating scandal that has seen several of its peacekeeping troops in the Central African Republic accused of raping children in exchange for food.

"There is no desire to hide anything," Pierre Bayle, a spokesman for the defence ministry, told reporters.