French journalist 'murdered' in Central African Republic: Hollande

Tbilisi (AFP) - A French journalist has been killed while on a reporting assignment in Central African Republic, French President Francois Hollande said Tuesday in a statement, vowing to make every effort to shed light on the murder.

"The president learned with great sadness about the death of journalist Camille Lepage, who was reporting from Central African Republic," the statement said.

"The body of Ms Lepage was found by a patrol of Sangaris troops while checking a vehicle driven by anti-Balaka militia in the region of Bouar" in west of the country, it said.

Hollande "has ordered immediate dispatch" of a French team as well as African police deployed in CAR to ensure that "all necessary measures" are taken to "shed light on the murder and to find the murderers of our compatriot," it said, offering condolences to the woman's family.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told AFP that there can be "no impunity for those who... attack the fundamental right to inform and to be informed."

Lepage was 26 and worked as a photographer for Hans Lucas, a studio based in Paris, according to the studio's webpage.