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Chadian rebels 'inside capital' Chadian rebels 'inside capital'
(20 minutes later)
Chadian rebels have entered the capital N'Djamena and are heading for the presidential palace, according to the rebels and eyewitnesses in the city.Chadian rebels have entered the capital N'Djamena 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.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.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. Rebel forces began their advance on N'Djamena from the eastern border with Sudan earlier this week, in a column of 300 vehicles.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing rebel activity in the south and east of N'Djamena on Saturday, 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'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'
"Rebels are headed for the palace and are about two blocks from here. The rebels are winning," a resident of a western embassy told Reuters news agency."Rebels are headed for the palace and are about two blocks from here. The rebels are winning," a resident of a western embassy told Reuters news agency.
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.
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 in 2005 when he changed the constitution so that he could run for a third term in office, she says.But the tide began to turn in 2005 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.
Chadian officials say Khartoum is nervous about the deployment of EU troops in Chad and a joint AU/UN force in Sudan's western region of Darfur.
French involvementFrench involvement
About 150 French troops have arrived to help evacuate some 1,500 expatriates, the vast majority of whom live in N'Djamena, but the French authorities are now strongly advising their citizens to stay at home.About 150 French troops have arrived to help evacuate some 1,500 expatriates, the vast majority of whom live in N'Djamena, but the French authorities are now strongly advising their citizens to stay at home.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a meeting to discuss the crisis late on Friday night with senior ministers and military figures.French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a meeting to discuss the crisis late on Friday night with senior ministers and military figures.
The BBC's Alasdair Sandford, in Paris, says France is directly implicated in the crisis.The BBC's Alasdair Sandford, in Paris, says France is directly implicated in the crisis.
It dominates a European Union force whose deployment has been delayed because of the fighting. It dominates the EU force bound for Chad, whose deployment has been delayed because of the fighting. Some 100 troops Austrian and Irish troops had been due to arrive last Thursday.
Under a 30-year-old agreement, the French military has also been providing key backing to Chad's government.Under a 30-year-old agreement, the French military has also been providing key backing to Chad's government.
But late last year, one of the rebel groups, the UFDD, declared a "state of war" against French and other foreign forces because it said they were "bringing diplomatic, strategic and logistical aid" to the president.
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:
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