By Emmanuel Braun BODA Central African Republic (Reuters) - In normal times, the rickety wooden bridges at each end of the red-dirt main street in Boda were gateways to shops and a bustling market in the diamond-mining town in Central African Republic. Today, they mark the fine line between life and death for hundreds of Muslims living under siege, encircled by Christian 'anti-balaka' militia fighters bent on chasing out the country's Islamic population. "We live in a prison," said Adou Kone, a tailor. It's very expensive to buy food ... Our life is at a critical stage." Boda illustrates the chaos that has gripped Central African Republic since late 2012 when a battle for political power degenerated into clashes between Muslims and Christians that have forced about 1 million people from their homes.

Four French journalists held captive in Syria for almost a year were free and "in good health" on Saturday, President Francois Hollande told AFP. In a statement to AFP, the president said he had "learned with great relief this morning of the liberation of the four French journalists". Edouard Elias, Didier François, Nicolas Hénin and Pierre Torres were held hostage in Syria since June 2013. Hollande said they were "in good health despite the very challenging conditions of their captivity" and would return to France "in the coming hours".