"Next Tuesday, I will hold consultations with all groups present (at the talks)," Bozize said after the conference that included some 200 government, political opposition, civil society and rebel representatives.

"Each group should propose the names of two people, one of whom will participate in the new government."

The others will form a committee aimed at monitoring the recommendations arising from the meeting, he said.

The committee's mission will expire after "the validation of general elections in 2010," the forum's final report said.

Ex-leader Ange-Felix Patasse, who returned home after five years in exile in Togo to attend the talks, made a striking vow to recognise Bozize, who ousted him in 2003, rather than call for his removal as some of his opponents have insisted.

"My dear little brother, before the people of the Central African Republic and before the invitees, I reaffirm that I recognise you as president of the Central African Republic in the name of peace for the people," he said.

The ex-leader, president between 1999 and 2003, told his successor that "you have seen for yourself the limits to the power of arms." The two men embraced after he spoke.

"The solution is not to ask you to leave power. It rests mainly in the prospect of bringing the people to democratic, transparent and fair elections in 2010," he said.

Rebel groups, political opponents and officials of the current government expressed hope that the 12-day meeting could pave the way to ending the unrest.

The new "consensus" government should be tasked with "restoring peace and security throughout the country" and "work for genuine and lasting reconciliation among its citizens" and "carry out the relevant recommendations of the conference," the final report said.

It admitted that "the many forums for reconciliation and dialogue have not enabled the Central African Republic to be rooted definitively in peace, stability and development, as shown by the insecurity and tragic events that occur in the north of the country."

It recommended the holding of municipal elections in 2009 followed by presidential and parliamentary polls in 2010.

The report was read out at a closing ceremony attended by Bozize and his counterpart from neighbouring Gabon, Omar Bongo, who has been acting as mediator.

One of the world's poorest countries, the Central African Republic has been racked for years by insecurity, with rebel groups, bandits and government troops blamed for widespread criminal activity.

Following mediation efforts by Gabon, the government signed four peace accords with rebel groups between February 2007 and June 2008.

After leading the 2003 coup, Bozize was elected in 2005.

"We have surmounted barriers in the crisis situation in the Central African Republic," said Jean-Jacques Demafouth, a lawyer and head of the Popular Army for the Restoration of Democracy rebel movement, active in the north.

"It is the start of renouncing armed conflict."

The long-delayed dialogue that began on December 8 and chaired by former Burundi president Pierre Buyoya was the third meeting of its kind over the last decade. There were more participants this time around than in previous meetings.

While there was optimism after the conference, the head of another rebel group, the Movement of Central African Republic Liberators for Justice, warned the goodwill could slip away.

"Let all the recommendations ... be applied to the letter," said Abakar Sabone. "Every time we speak, we take resolutions. But after, everyone leaves and there is no follow-up, no application."

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