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| Chadian rebels 'inside capital' | Chadian rebels 'inside capital' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Chadian rebels have entered the capital Ndjamena and are heading for the presidential palace, according to the rebels and eyewitnesses in the city. | |
| But the country's foreign minister said President Idriss Deby was inside the palace and the situation in the city was under control. | |
| France called on its citizens in Chad to stay indoors, reversing an earlier order to gather at evacuation points. | |
| The African Union has expressed deep concern at the crisis. | The African Union has expressed deep concern at the crisis. |
| "We are really, deeply preoccupied by the situation today in Chad," said Jean Ping, the newly elected chairman of the AU Commission. | "We are really, deeply preoccupied by the situation today in Chad," said Jean Ping, the newly elected chairman of the AU Commission. |
| The AU is discussing the crisis on the last day of its annual summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. | The AU is discussing the crisis on the last day of its annual summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. |
| 'President will fall' | 'President will fall' |
| Eyewitnesses reported seeing rebel activity in the south and east of N'Djamena, with fighting later spreading to the area around the presidential palace. | |
| THE REBEL COALITION Unified Military Command includes:Union of Forces for Democracy (UFDD) led by Mahamat NouriRally of Forces for Change (RFC) led by Timane ErdimiUFDD-Fundamental led by Abdelwahid Aboud Mackaye 'Living in fear in N'Djamena' | |
| A rebel spokesman, Abakar Tollimi, told AFP news agency that government troops were "scattering" and that President Idriss Deby would fall within hours. | A rebel spokesman, Abakar Tollimi, told AFP news agency that government troops were "scattering" and that President Idriss Deby would fall within hours. |
| Government officials said the forces were evenly matched but have not ruled out the possibility that the rebels could take N'Djamena. | Government officials said the forces were evenly matched but have not ruled out the possibility that the rebels could take N'Djamena. |
| About 150 French troops have arrived to help evacuate some 1,500 expatriates, but the French authorities are now strongly advising their citizens to stay at home. | |
| The BBC's Stephanie Hancock, recently based in Chad, says insecurity has always been the hallmark of Mr Deby's 17-year rule. | The BBC's Stephanie Hancock, recently based in Chad, says insecurity has always been the hallmark of Mr Deby's 17-year rule. |
| But the tide began to turn last year when he changed the constitution so that he could run for a third term in office, she says. | But the tide began to turn last year when he changed the constitution so that he could run for a third term in office, she says. |
| This prompted mass desertions from the army, and the situation was made worse by the accumulation of oil wealth by Mr Deby and his entourage. | This prompted mass desertions from the army, and the situation was made worse by the accumulation of oil wealth by Mr Deby and his entourage. |
| But there is also friction with Sudan, with both countries backing rebel movements in the other. | But there is also friction with Sudan, with both countries backing rebel movements in the other. |
| Are you in Chad? Have you been affected by the fighting? Tell us what is happening where you are by using the form below: | Are you in Chad? Have you been affected by the fighting? Tell us what is happening where you are by using the form below: |
| 7223832"> Name |