MOSCOW. June 18 (Interfax) - Central African Republic (CAR) Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon has said she is surprised to see reports regarding the presence of "Russian mercenaries" in the republic, which she described as rumors.

"We are surprised to hear so many speculations concerning the alleged presence of mercenaries in the CAR. Every appeal we have made to Russia is completely formal and made by officials," Baipo-Temon told Interfax in an interview.

According to her, Russia