US reopens embassy in Central African Republic

Washington -  The State Department says it's reopening The US embassy in the Central African Republic.

The US evacuated the facility in Bangui, suspended operations and urged Americans to leave in December 2012 because of sectarian violence that left thousands of people dead.

The UN has stationed peacekeepers in the country, and Secretary of State John Kerry said in statement on Monday progress has been made at putting the nation on "a path toward peace and stability".

Kerry says the US is giving the Central African Republic an additional $28m in humanitarian aid, bringing the US total to $145m this year. Kerry made the announcement in Paris where he's participating in an international conference on finding a strategy to combat Islamic State militants.