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Thousands flee fighting in Chad Thousands flee fighting in Chad
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people are fleeing the Chad capital, N'Djamena, after two days of fierce fighting between government and rebel forces in the city.Thousands of people are fleeing the Chad capital, N'Djamena, after two days of fierce fighting between government and rebel forces in the city.
The government says it has pushed the rebels out of the city but they say they withdrew to give civilians the chance to evacuate.The government says it has pushed the rebels out of the city but they say they withdrew to give civilians the chance to evacuate.
Aid workers report that fighting is continuing outside the city, while dead bodies litter the streets.Aid workers report that fighting is continuing outside the city, while dead bodies litter the streets.
The UN Security Council has condemned the rebel attacks. The UN Security Council has urged member states to help the government.
In a non-binding resolution, it urged member states to help the government. The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN in New York says this non-binding statement gives the go-ahead to France and other countries to help President Idriss Deby's forces against the rebels.
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 Q&A: Rebellion in Chad'Revolution's going on'In pictures: Fighting in ChadCHAD 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 Q&A: Rebellion in Chad'Revolution's going on'In pictures: Fighting in Chad
Russia objected to language in the original draft calling for countries to use all necessary means to support the Chad authorities. Chad's former colonial power France has a military base in Chad and has previously helped the government with logistics and intelligence.
The European Union has delayed sending its peacekeeping force to Chad. Thousands of people have been streaming across the Ngueli bridge, which separates Chad from Cameroon.
The EU force is intended to protect refugees from the Darfur region of neighbouring Sudan, as well as aid workers.
Chad accuses the Sudanese government of backing the rebel offensive in Chad in order to stop the EU force from being sent to the region.
Sudan denies this, as well as accusations that it has supported Arab militias accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Darfur.
Refugee concern
General Mahamat Ali Abdallah, who is commanding the government forces, said the rebels had been "completely routed".
But rebel spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah rejected this.
Profile: Idriss Deby "We have pulled out of the city and we are waiting for the civilian population to be evacuated," he told AFP news agency.
"We certainly will go back on the offensive... We're asking the civilian population of Ndjamena to leave immediately because their safety cannot be assured."
N'Djamena is separated from Cameroon by the Ngueli bridge over the Logone-Chari river.
Thousands of people were streaming across the bridge, reports the Reuters news agency.
Local officials have told the UN refugee agency that thousands were also crossing at the border town of Kousseri.Local officials have told the UN refugee agency that thousands were also crossing at the border town of Kousseri.
"We're expecting a lot more people coming," said UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond."We're expecting a lot more people coming," said UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond.
He also said he was extremely concerned for the 240,000 Darfur refugees in Chad.He also said he was extremely concerned for the 240,000 Darfur refugees in Chad.
A plane chartered by the French government carrying 363 foreigners evacuated from Chad arrived in Paris on Monday morning.A plane chartered by the French government carrying 363 foreigners evacuated from Chad arrived in Paris on Monday morning.
Others have gone to Gabon.Others have gone to Gabon.
The UN called an emergency meeting in New York to discuss the crisis and will meet again on Monday. 'Routed'
Before the meeting, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for a ceasefire. France's UN ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said it was too early to say whether France would provide military to the government.
In eastern Chad, the army said it had thwarted a second rebel attack on the town of Adre, near the border with Sudan. "I guess there will be some request from the government of Chad addressed to some member states or to all member states of the UN and we'll see," he said, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Profile: Idriss Deby "What is important is that the Security Council allows the member states to do so and to answer the request for help and assistance of Chad."
The rebels have previously threatened to attack a French-dominated European Union peacekeeping force, because of France's support to the government.
The deployment of that force has been delayed because of the latest fighting.
General Mahamat Ali Abdallah, who is commanding the government forces, said the rebels had been "completely routed".
But rebel spokesman Abderaman Koulamallah rejected this.
"We have pulled out of the city and we are waiting for the civilian population to be evacuated," he told AFP news agency.
"We certainly will go back on the offensive... We're asking the civilian population of Ndjamena to leave immediately because their safety cannot be assured."
'Window on genocide''Window on genocide'
The area is home to some 400,000 people displaced as a result of the conflict in Darfur, who are living in camps. The army has also said it had thwarted a second rebel attack on the town of Adre, near the border with Sudan over the weekend.
Adre is in the area where a French-dominated EU peacekeeping force is due to deploy to protect displaced civilians and the aid workers supporting them. This is where the refugees from Darfur are based, living in camps and where the EU force is due to deploy.
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 France has a long-term military presence in Chad, one of its former colonies, giving the government intelligence and logistic support. The EU force is intended to protect refugees from the Darfur region of neighbouring Sudan, as well as aid workers.
This has led the rebels to threaten to attack the EU peacekeeping force. 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 Chad accuses the Sudanese government of backing the rebel offensive in Chad in order to stop the EU force from being sent to the region.
The government claimed the assault on the town had been backed by Sudanese aircraft.
"Sudan does not want this force because it would open a window on the genocide in Darfur," said Foreign Minister Amad Allam-Mi."Sudan does not want this force because it would open a window on the genocide in Darfur," said Foreign Minister Amad Allam-Mi.
Sudan has repeatedly denied any involvement. Sudan denies this, as well as accusations that it has supported Arab militias accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Darfur.
"Any developments in Chad reflect on Sudan and any instability there would have a negative impact on Sudan," said Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman Ali al-Sadeq. Chadian rebels seized control of large parts of the capital on Saturday, approaching the palace where President Deby was holding out.
Chadian rebels seized control of large parts of the capital on Saturday, approaching the palace where President Idriss Deby was holding out.
Mr Deby seized power in a coup in 1990, but has won three elections since then, although their legitimacy has been challenged.Mr Deby seized power in a coup in 1990, but has won three elections since then, although their legitimacy has been challenged.
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Are you in Chad or in Sudan? Have you been affected by the fighting? Tell us what is happening where you are by using the form below:
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