of blind reprisals," he said, according to remarks carried on French television.

Even as the French worked to secure the city of 700,000, the U.N. said more than 160,000 people had fled their homes in Bangui alone. At least 38,000 of them are living around the airport guarded by French troops, afraid of returning to homes where former Muslim rebels have attacked civilians each night.

In a radio message to the people of Central African Republic, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the international body is committed to helping the country.

"I appeal to everyone to follow the path of peace," he said. "The bloodshed must stop."

Ban also warned those who might commit atrocities and crimes against humanity.

"The world is watching," he said. "You will be held to account."

On Friday, officials fromthe U.N. World Food Program began a chaotic distribution of rice, oil and split peas to several thousand people. Aid workers used megaphones to call out names of displaced people who had registered, but the names could hardly be heard over the shouts of frustration.

"We've been here for seven days and have not been able to find food," said Sophie Matias, 45, who was sleeping at the airport with her 10 children. "The kids are so hungry — they keep asking for food but we have nothing. "

A UNICEF cargo plane brought 77 metric tons (85 tons) of humanitarian supplies Friday, including blankets and plastic sheeting for nearly 38,000 people.

The charity group Doctors Without Borders has criticized the U.N. response to the growing humanitarian crisis here. In an