Speaker of Central African Republic's National Transition Council (CNT), Alexandre Nguendet, told Xinhua on Friday that the recent changes in the country's leadership was not a coup.

The resignation of Central African Republic's transition President Michel Djotodia and his Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye, had been announced on the same day during the 6th extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena.

"We hope the decision will be welcomed by all Central African Republic's people so that they can now start concentrating on the country's development," Nguendet said after the end of the two-day meeting that resulted into resignation of Djotodia and Tiangaye.

He said CNT will be recalled soon in an extraordinary session to elect the country's new leader within the next 15 days.

Nguendet said he hoped that a new government comprised of all groups in the country will soon be formed in the Central African Republic.

"Today our country is in need of peace, unity and national reconciliation. We want to appeal for peace from all our citizens as well as from the ex-President Francois Bozize and his supporters. Our people have suffered so much and it is now time that we speak with one voice. We must come together to achieve the common goal of peace, unity and national harmony," the CNT speaker said.

He affirmed that ex-Seleka rebels who brought Djotodia to power in February 2013 will also be members of the new government.

According to the speaker of the transition parliament, the former transition president will be allowed to continue living in the country peacefully.

"President Djotodia has accomplished his mission. In politics, every mission has a beginning and an end. Today, he must be allowed to live peacefully in the country," Nguendet said.

He thanked the ECCAS leaders for their support towards Central African Republic since the beginning of the crisis.

"We hope that after this transition, the rule of law will be restored in Central African Republic so that the country can embark on the path of development," he concluded. Endi

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