Chad claims rebel battle victory
Chadian government says rebel forces have been driven back from capital
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Monday, 04, Feb 2008 10:57
The Chadian government claims it has driven back rebel troops from the capital N'Djamena following two days of heavy fighting.
Foreign minister Amad Allam-Mi told French radio that "the battle for N'Djamena is over".
Rebel forces insist they are not defeated however, and have merely withdrawn to allow civilians to flee the worst of the fighting.
"We decided to retreat to give the population a chance to get out," said spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah.
Thousands of residents are thought to have fled the capital to neighbouring Cameroon, while aid agencies said the intensity of fighting has restricted their efforts to help the wounded.
Rebel troops are fighting to overthrow Idriss Deby, who arrived to power in a 1990 coup and has since won three disputed presidential elections.
Chad has already accused its eastern neighbour Sudan of supporting the rebels.
General Mahamat Ali Abdallah Nassour said Sudanese troops had been involved in the attack upon Mr Deby's presidential palace; an act he said was tantamount to a "declaration of war" from Khartoum.
Mr Allam-Mi elaborated: "Sudan has sent these attackers more than 700km to destroy out capital.
"If it is necessary for the security of Chad and for the defence of its integrity, we will go to Sudan."
Sudan denies any involvement in the rebel attack, which has seen tanks and helicopter gunships deployed in N'Djamena.
Both the United Nations and the African Union have condemned the fighting and called for an immediate end to hostilities.