BOSSANGOA, Central African Republic, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Rebels in the northwest of Central African Republic killed 14 government soldiers and destroyed their vehicle in an ambush near the border with Chad, a regional government official said on Wednesday.

General Gabriel Baipo, prefect of the Ouham district, told Reuters the attack was carried out late on Tuesday at Sido, 30 km (19 miles) from the Chadian border, by rebels of the Popular Army for the Restoration of the Republic and Democracy (APRD).

There was no immediate independent confirmation of the attack, which was reported as President Francois Bozize tries to salvage a stalled initiative to make peace with the APRD and other rebel groups in the poor, former French colony. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/) (Reporting by Paul-Marin Ngoupana; Writing by Pascal Fletcher; Editing by Louise Ireland)

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