This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7224691.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Chad capital hit by new fighting Chad capital hit by new fighting
(about 1 hour later)
Fresh fighting has broken out between government and rebel forces in Chad's capital N'Djamena, reports say.Fresh fighting has broken out between government and rebel forces in Chad's capital N'Djamena, reports say.
Heavy weapons fire was heard near the palace where President Idriss Deby is said to be holding out.Heavy weapons fire was heard near the palace where President Idriss Deby is said to be holding out.
Rebels seized large parts of the city on Saturday, but military action subsided overnight as both sides claimed to be in control.Rebels seized large parts of the city on Saturday, but military action subsided overnight as both sides claimed to be in control.
More than 500 French and other foreign citizens have been evacuated to the Gabonese capital, Libreville.More than 500 French and other foreign citizens have been evacuated to the Gabonese capital, Libreville.
The arriving evacuees appeared "harassed but happy", an AFP news agency journalist in Libreville said.The arriving evacuees appeared "harassed but happy", an AFP news agency journalist in Libreville said.
Enlarge MapEnlarge Map
"It's been a hard, exhausting day. We didn't know how things might turn out," one mother told the agency."It's been a hard, exhausting day. We didn't know how things might turn out," one mother told the agency.
Of the 514 evacuated, 217 were French and the rest included Germans, Belgians, Spanish, Portuguese, Armenians and Egyptians.Of the 514 evacuated, 217 were French and the rest included Germans, Belgians, Spanish, Portuguese, Armenians and Egyptians.
About 400 others are gathered in designated areas in N'Djamena, guarded by French troops.About 400 others are gathered in designated areas in N'Djamena, guarded by French troops.
CeasefireCeasefire
Witnesses heard anti-tank and automatic weapons fire coming from the city centre, starting at about 0500 local time (0400 GMT).Witnesses heard anti-tank and automatic weapons fire coming from the city centre, starting at about 0500 local time (0400 GMT).
AFP reported that government helicopters had attacked a column of rebels in the south of the city heading towards the main radio station.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 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.French officials say Paris is neutral in the military conflict but politically backs Mr Deby's government.
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 Deby 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 href="/1/hi/world/africa/7225023.stm">Q&A: Rebellion in Chad class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7224015.stm">'Revolution's going on'Profile: Idriss Deby
France has also offered to evacuate Mr Deby but he refused to go, French officials told AFP.France has also offered to evacuate Mr Deby but he refused to go, French officials told AFP.
Meanwhile French Defence Minister Herve Morin confirmed that the Chadian army chief of staff, Daoud Soumain, had been killed in combat during the rebel advance on the capital.Meanwhile French Defence Minister Herve Morin confirmed that the Chadian army chief of staff, Daoud Soumain, had been killed in combat during the rebel advance on the capital.
The fighting comes despite reports of a ceasefire brokered by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.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.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.
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.
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.
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 'In pictures: Fighting in Chad' 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 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 'In pictures: Fighting in Chad' 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.
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.


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:
Name
Name