The rebel leader in Central African Republic suspended the constitution, dissolved state institutions and declared a transitional rule on Monday.

Self-proclaimed President Michel Djotodia's actions came a day after a bloody assault forced President Francois Bozize to flee abroad and drew international condemnation.

Djotodia, whose Seleka coalition took over the capital city Bangui during the weekend offensive, said he would rule by decree until elections are organized in three years.

"I consider it necessary to suspend the Nov. 27, 2004, constitution and dissolve parliament as well as the government," Djotodia told reporters. "During that transitional period which will lead us to free, credible and transparent elections, I will legislate by decree."

Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye would keep his post in the new government, said Djotodia, who also imposed a country-wide curfew between 7 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to restore order.

About 5,000 Seleka fighters swept into Bangui on Sunday after a four-day blitz in which they fought their way from the far north to the presidential palace.

Seleka, a loose rebel coalition of five factions, launched the assault on Thursday. The coalition accused Bozize of violating a peace deal signed in January to release political prisoners, integrate rebels into the army, and remove South African and Ugandan troops deployed in the country.

Bozize landed in Cameroon on Sunday after fleeing the presidential palace at least 30 minutes before Seleka rebels launched their final assault on the compound.

Rampant looting was reported in the capital after the rebels' entry. Homes, shops, restaurants and cars were all fair game for looters across the city of 600,000 people.

In response to the violence, the African Union suspended the participation of the Central African Republic in all activities in the regional bloc. It also imposed sanctions, travel restrictions and an asset freeze on Seleka's leaders.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Monday that "violent or unconstitutional changes of government" were unacceptable and urged all sides to end hostilities and begin talks.

The UN Security Council strongly denounced the rebel's seizure of power by force, as well as the ensuing violence and looting. The council urged all parties to refrain from any acts of violence against civilians.

The council, in a statement issued Monday, also condemned the use of force against soldiers from a South Africa training contingent deployed in Central African Republic.

The weekend offensive claimed the lives of 13 South African soldiers. South Africa had deployed 200 soldiers to the Central African Republic in January to support government troops.

In light of the chaos, the UN Security Council reaffirmed the important role of the Economic Community of the Central African States (ECCAS) in facilitating the implementation of the Libreville agreements with the support of the African Union.

The United States, Brazil and regional military power Chad called on Seleka to implement the Libreville agreement and provide full support to Tiangaye's government.

January's peace deal signed at Libreville, capital of Gabon, was brokered by the ECCAS after the rebels launched a series of attacks and took control of major towns in the country in December.

The power-sharing accord led to creation of a government of national unity which included Bozize loyalists, rebels and the civilian opposition.

The Central African Republic, with a population of 5 million, has been haunted by instability and poverty since its independence from France in 1960. It is listed by the United Nations as one of the poorest nations in the world though it is rich in resources.