(CNN) -- The president of the Central African Republic has fled the country's capital and rebels have seized control of the city, a government official said Sunday. President Francois Bozize crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Jules Gautier Ngbapo, a spokesman for the government's territorial administration minister. He declined to disclose Bozize's location Sunday. Read more: What's behind the unrest? "The Central African Republic has just opened a new page in its history," said a written statement from Justin Kombo Moustapha, secretary general of the Seleka rebels. The statement described Bozize as the country's former president and urged residents of the landlocked country to remain calm and prepare themselves to welcome rebel forces.
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NEW: Rebel official: "The Central African Republic has just opened a new page in its history"
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NEW: U.N. offices are among the targets of looting, a spokeswoman says
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Rebels seize control of capital of Central African Republic, official says
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President left Bangui via the Democratic Republic of Congo, an official says
Witnesses reported hours of gunfire, and @placeholder said at least seven civilians were killed as rebels and local residents looted shops.
The @placeholder and the government brokered a new peace deal in January, agreeing to form a unity government led by Bozize.