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Rebels Flee Chad's Capital

Government declares victory; insurgents say move allows civilians to escape hostilities

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 4, 2008 12:19 PM CST
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(Newser) – Rebels pulled out of Chad’s capital city of N’Djamena last night, temporarily ending a 2-day siege, but renewed hostilities broke out today, the AP reports. The rebels said they pulled back to allow civilians to flee, an offer hundreds took advantage of. But the interior minister insisted the army was in control: “The savage mercenaries are routed.”

In response to an appeal for assistance from Chad's ambassador to the UN, the Security Council authorized France to supply troops. Meanwhile, the US government warned the rebels away from the abandoned US embassy. As the fighting raged, the government accused Sudan of backing the rebels to prevent EU peacekeepers from deploying along the Darfur border, but Sudan denies involvement.

An evacuee, left, carries a child in a protective cover to keep her warm at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, outside of Paris, early Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. French and other foreigners had been evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad. Heavy fighting rocked the Chad capital on Sunday,...
An evacuee, left, carries a child in a protective cover to keep her warm at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, outside of Paris, early Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. French and other foreigners had been evacuated...   (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)
Map locates Adre, Chad, town where rebels seized control on Sunday.
Map locates Adre, Chad, town where rebels seized control on Sunday.   (Associated Press)
In this image released by France's Ministry of Defense, French and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena in a C130 plane, Chad. Sunday, Feb. 3, 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, French and other foreigners are evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena in a C130 plane, Chad. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008. The first group of foreigners...   (Associated Press)
Chad's President Idriss Deby waves to supporters, in this Sunday, April 30, 2006 file photo, in the capital, N'djamena before his last election for a third term in the capital , N'Djamena. Hundreds of rebels penetrated the capital of Chad on Saturday Feb 2 2008, clashing with government troops and moving...
Chad's President Idriss Deby waves to supporters, in this Sunday, April 30, 2006 file photo, in the capital, N'djamena before his last election for a third term in the capital , N'Djamena. Hundreds of...   (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)
A woman evacuee from Chad carries a child in a protective cover to keep her warm late on Sunday evening at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, outside of Paris, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. French and other foreigners had been evacuated by the French army from N'Djamena, Chad. Heavy fighting rocked...
A woman evacuee from Chad carries a child in a protective cover to keep her warm late on Sunday evening at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, outside of Paris, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. French and other foreigners...   (Associated Press)
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The scene on the blood-spattered streets
Times (UK)

Analysis: What's behind the Chad crisis?
Xinhua (China)

France evacuates foreigners
Reuters

 
Darfur • Chad • Sudan • France • peacekeeping force • peacekeeper • Idriss Deby • rebels

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