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Chad rebels 'to resume offensive' Chad capital hit by new fighting
(about 2 hours later)
Chadian rebels have said they will resume their assault on N'Djamena on Sunday morning after seizing large parts of the capital on Saturday. Fresh fighting has broken out in Chad's capital N'Djamena between government and rebel forces, reports say.
Fierce fighting subsided overnight as both sides claimed to be in control. Heavy weapons fire was heard near the palace where President Idriss Deby is said to be holding out.
Rebels have reportedly taken positions near the palace where President Idriss Deby's men say he is holding out. Rebels seized large parts of the city on Saturday, but military action subsided overnight as both sides claimed to be in control.
A rebel spokesman told the BBC that they would resume their push despite reports of a ceasefire brokered by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Nearly 400 French and other foreign citizens were evacuated overnight to the Gabonese capital Libreville.
Abderamane Khoulamanla confirmed reports that Colonel Gaddafi had called rebel leader Mahamat Nouri to propose a ceasefire. The arriving evacuees appeared "harassed but happy", an AFP journalist in Libreville said.
Several hundred others are gathered in designated areas in N'Djamena guarded by French troops.
Ceasefire
Witnesses heard anti-tank and automatic weapons fire coming from the city centre, starting at about 0500 local time (0400 GMT).
President Deby has been in power since 1990
AFP reported that government helicopters had attacked a column of rebels in the south of the city heading towards the main radio station.
French Mirage combat planes have also been overflying the area.
French officials say Paris is neutral in the military conflict but politically backs Mr Deby's government.
France has also offered to evacuate Mr Deby but he refused to go, French officials told AFP.
The fighting comes despite reports of a ceasefire brokered by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Rebel spokesman Abderamane Khoulamanla confirmed reports that Colonel Gaddafi had called rebel leader Mahamat Nouri to propose a ceasefire.
"Our leader replied that he would agree to that if his two other partners in the rebellion would agree as well," Mr Khoulamanla said."Our leader replied that he would agree to that if his two other partners in the rebellion would agree as well," Mr Khoulamanla said.
'Assault planned''Assault planned'
Another rebel spokesman, Henchi Ordjo, told Reuters news agency that the rebel fighters were simply holding back an assault on the palace to allow the president the chance to leave.Another rebel spokesman, Henchi Ordjo, told Reuters news agency that the rebel fighters were simply holding back an assault on the palace to allow the president the chance to leave.
"No ceasefire has been agreed," he said."No ceasefire has been agreed," he said.
CHAD TIMELINE June 2005 - Constitutional changes approved allowing president to stand for third termApril 2006 - Hundreds killed as rebels fight government troops on outskirts of N'DjamenaMay 2006 - President Deby wins election boycotted by oppositionJanuary 2008 - EU approves peacekeeping force to protect Darfur refugees from violence in Chad 'Revolution's going on'Profile: Idriss DebyCHAD TIMELINE June 2005 - Constitutional changes approved allowing president to stand for third termApril 2006 - Hundreds killed as rebels fight government troops on outskirts of N'DjamenaMay 2006 - President Deby wins election boycotted by oppositionJanuary 2008 - EU approves peacekeeping force to protect Darfur refugees from violence in Chad 'Revolution's going on'Profile: Idriss Deby
The African Union has charged Libya with overseeing the response to the rebellion in Chad, which was condemned at the end of the organisation's summit in Ethiopia.The African Union has charged Libya with overseeing the response to the rebellion in Chad, which was condemned at the end of the organisation's summit in Ethiopia.
There was heavy fighting throughout Saturday after thousands of rebels entered N'Djamena in the morning.There was heavy fighting throughout Saturday after thousands of rebels entered N'Djamena in the morning.
They began their advance on the city from near Chad's eastern border with Sudan earlier this week.They began their advance on the city from near Chad's eastern border with Sudan earlier this week.
There were reports of outbreaks of looting, and of residents cheering on the rebel forces in some areas of the city.There were reports of outbreaks of looting, and of residents cheering on the rebel forces in some areas of the city.
Evacuations
Gabriel Stauring, a US aid worker trapped inside a hotel in the centre of N'Djamena, told the BBC news website that he and the other guests were spending the night together in the hotel's dining room.
President Deby has been in power since 1990
He said he had been advised by the US embassy to remain in the hotel until morning, though some people had already been evacuated.
Government officials have claimed that Mr Deby and the army were still in control.
Early on Sunday the first 74 foreigners evacuated from Chad, most of them French, arrived in the Gabon capital of Libreville.
French soldiers had been guarding the group in N'Djamena since Friday. France has 1,500 troops in Chad.
Troubled ruleTroubled rule
The BBC's Stephanie Hancock, recently based in Chad, says insecurity has been the hallmark of Mr Deby's 17-year rule.The BBC's Stephanie Hancock, recently based in Chad, says insecurity has been the hallmark of Mr Deby's 17-year rule.
In 2005, he changed the constitution so that he could run for a third term in office, which sparked mass desertions from the army.In 2005, he changed the constitution so that he could run for a third term in office, which sparked mass desertions from the army.
The situation was made worse by the accumulation of oil wealth by Mr Deby and his entourage.The situation was made worse by the accumulation of oil wealth by Mr Deby and his entourage.
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'
There is also tension with Sudan. 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 - both with the mandate of protecting civilians affected by fighting in Darfur.There is also tension with Sudan. 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 - both with the mandate of protecting civilians affected by fighting in Darfur.
France dominates the EU force bound for Chad, whose deployment has been delayed because of the fighting.France 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.Some 100 troops Austrian and Irish troops had been due to arrive last Thursday.
Chadian officials have accused the rebels of seeking to stop the deployment of the EU force.Chadian officials have accused the rebels of seeking to stop the deployment of the EU force.
Both the Chadian and Sudanese governments support rebels in each others' territory.Both the Chadian and Sudanese governments support rebels in each others' territory.
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