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Chad rebels strike eastern towns Army alert to counter Chad rebels
(about 6 hours later)
Rebels in Chad have launched a series of attacks in the east, although the government denies claims they have seized the town of Am Timan. Security has been tightened in the Chad capital, N'Djamena, following reports that rebels are approaching the city.
A BBC correspondent says that mobile phone links have been cut to the town - normally a sign of major trouble. A BBC correspondent says that tanks have been stationed in key areas, such as outside the presidential palace, and military vehicles are on patrol.
Troops have been recalled to base for the Muslim holiday of Eid - the biggest festival of the year in Chad. Troops have been recalled to base despite the Muslim holiday of Eid - the biggest festival of the year in Chad.
The rebels began their offensive in the east at the weekend but are now said to be near the central town of Mongo.
The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in Chad says there are reports that the outskirts of the capital are heavily fortified with government troops.
Rapid advance
On Monday night, the rebels claimed to have seized the town of Am Timan, some 600km from N'Djamena but they are now reported to be just five hours' drive from the capital.
The government has denied that Am Timan had fallen and urged the capital's residents to stay calm.
In pictures: Janjaweed in Chad "The government appeals to the population to remain calm and to go normally about one's business," said spokesman Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor.
On Sunday, the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) rebel sezied the small town of Gos Beida.
Our correspondent says there has also been fierce fighting in the border town of Ade.
In April, the rebels took just four days to reach the capital, which they entered, before being repelled.
Chad says the government of neighbouring Sudan backs the rebels - claims denied by Khartoum.Chad says the government of neighbouring Sudan backs the rebels - claims denied by Khartoum.
Sudan in turn accuses Chad of backing rebels in the war-torn Darfur region.Sudan in turn accuses Chad of backing rebels in the war-torn Darfur region.
Eastern Chad has a similar ethnic make-up to Darfur, where Arab militias are accused of carrying out a genocide against black Africans.Eastern Chad has a similar ethnic make-up to Darfur, where Arab militias are accused of carrying out a genocide against black Africans.
In pictures: Janjaweed in Chad "The UFDD [Union of Forces for Democracy and Development] has just entered Am Timan and the army fled," one of the rebel leaders, Acheikh Ibn Oumar, told the AFP news agency by satellite phone.
Communications Minister Hourmadji Moussa Doumgor confirmed that the rebels had "entered" Am Timan but that they left immediately "after having fired shots into the air, like on Sunday in Goz Beida".
The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in Chad says that independent sources seem to back up the rebel claims.
She also says that there has been fierce fighting in the border town of Ade.
Some reports say the rebels have also been seen in the Mongo region, closer to the capital, N'Djamena, where there has also been a noticeable increase in security.
In April, the rebels launched an attack on the capital before being repelled.