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Chadian Army, Rebels Battle a Second Day

Insurgents claim prez trapped in palace; foreigners evacuate

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2008 10:17 AM CST
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(Newser) – Gunfire echoed through the Chadian capital of N'Djamena today, as government forces struggled to fight back rebels on the second day of an offensive which they claimed had trapped the president in his palace, the AP reports. A spokesman for France's military—which maintains a presence in its former colony—says the outcome is far from certain: "Nobody can say who will win."

Despite the insurgents' claims, however, a French minister said Chad's president "still has command over practically all of the Chadian army." But the French may not intervene as they have in past rebel attacks, for such action could endanger a planned EU peacekeeping mission.

Chadian National Concord (CNT) rebel movement fighters are pictured 11 December 2007 in Abougoudam. CNT rebel movement leaders, president Hassan Saleh el-Dinedi and chief of staff, General Mahamat Hassan Ihkaz Kokiss, have returned to the central African nation from neighboring Sudan 15 December. (SONIA ROLLEY/AFP/Getty Images)
Chadian National Concord (CNT) rebel movement fighters are pictured 11 December 2007 in Abougoudam. CNT rebel movement leaders, president Hassan Saleh el-Dinedi and chief of staff, General Mahamat Hassan...   (Getty Images)
Chadian National Concord rebel movement fighters are pictured 11 December 2007 in Abougoudam. CNT rebel movement leaders, president Hassan Saleh el-Dinedi and chief of staff, General Mahamat Hassan Ihkaz Kokiss, have returned to the central African nation from neighbouring Sudan 15 December.
Chadian National Concord rebel movement fighters are pictured 11 December 2007 in Abougoudam. CNT rebel movement leaders, president Hassan Saleh el-Dinedi and chief of staff, General Mahamat Hassan Ihkaz...   (SONIA ROLLEY/AFP/Getty Images)
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defense Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French nationals and other foreigners wait inside an army vehicle before being evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. The first group of foreigners wanting to leave Chad amid a rebel offensive...
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defense Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French nationals and other foreigners wait inside an army vehicle before being evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena,...   (Associated Press)
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defence Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French nationals and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. The first group of foreigners wanting to leave Chad amid a rebel offensive on the capital were flown out...
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defence Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French nationals and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. The first...   (Associated Press)
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defense Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. The first group of foreigners wanting to leave Chad amid a rebel offensive on the capital were flown out on...
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defense Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. The first group...   (Associated Press)
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defense on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French nationals and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. The first group of foreigners wanting to leave Chad amid a rebel offensive on the capital were flown...
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defense on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, French nationals and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. The...   (Associated Press)
Chad's President Idriss Deby arrives for an EU Africa Summit in Lisbon, Sunday Dec. 9, 2007. Heavy gunfire was heard Saturday Feb. 2, 2008 near the presidential palace in Chad, a hotel operator reached by telephone said, and rebel forces were believed to have reached the capital after a lightning...
Chad's President Idriss Deby arrives for an EU Africa Summit in Lisbon, Sunday Dec. 9, 2007. Heavy gunfire was heard Saturday Feb. 2, 2008 near the presidential palace in Chad, a hotel operator reached...   (Associated Press)
Chadian National Concord (CNT) rebel movement fighters are pictured 11 December 2007 in Abougoudam. CNT rebel movement leaders, president Hassan Saleh el-Dinedi and chief of staff, General Mahamat Hassan Ihkaz Kokiss, have returned to the central African nation from neighboring Sudan 15 December. (SONIA ROLLEY/AFP/Getty Images)
Chadian National Concord (CNT) rebel movement fighters are pictured 11 December 2007 in Abougoudam. CNT rebel movement leaders, president Hassan Saleh el-Dinedi and chief of staff, General Mahamat Hassan...   (Getty Images)
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Chad • France • evacuation • Idriss Deby • Chadian rebels • N'Djamena

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