At least 55 killed in Central African Republic battles BANGUI (Reuters) - At least 55 people were killed in clashes over the weekend between gunmen loyal to Central African Republic's former president and the ex-rebels who ousted him, the government and a regional peacekeeper said on Monday. The latest fighting in a country the United Nations has warned is on the brink of collapse took place on Saturday and Sunday around Bossangoa, in former President Francois Bozize's home region, about 300 km (185 miles) north of the capital. "The defence forces lost five men, and there have been more than 50 killed among the assailants and civilians," said Guy Simplice Kodegue, spokesman for the government the Seleka rebels set up after they seized power. A commander in the FOMAC African peacekeeping force said at least 60 people had been killed. The former French colony has slipped into chaos since northern rebels captured the capital Bangui in March. The rebels have been accused of a wave of killings and abuses that new leader Michel Djotodia has struggled to control. Houses were burnt, people were burnt alive including children, women, and old people who had nothing to do with the fighting. It is really disgusting," Kodegue said. Kodegue blamed forces loyal to Bozize for launching the attacks. The regional peacekeeper confirmed pro-Bozize gunmen were involved and described the situation as chaotic. Bozize, who fled to neighboring Cameroon, told French media in Paris last month that he still nurtured ambitions of returning to power. Reporting by Paul-Marin Ngoupana; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by David Lewis and Mike Collett-White