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France in warning to Chad rebels France in warning to Chad rebels
(about 2 hours later)
France has warned rebels in Chad that it could intervene if they continue to threaten the capital, N'Djamena.France has warned rebels in Chad that it could intervene if they continue to threaten the capital, N'Djamena.
Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he "hoped" the French troops in the city would not have to intervene.Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he "hoped" the French troops in the city would not have to intervene.
But he pointed out they had already defended the airport from rebel attack. The rebels have reportedly accused the French of bombing them already.But he pointed out they had already defended the airport from rebel attack. The rebels have reportedly accused the French of bombing them already.
The rebels seized much of the city over the weekend but the government is now in control. Thousands have fled.The rebels seized much of the city over the weekend but the government is now in control. Thousands have fled.
Mr Kouchner was speaking after the United Nations Security Council called on all member-states to back the Chadian government.Mr Kouchner was speaking after the United Nations Security Council called on all member-states to back the Chadian government.
Former colonial power France has 1,400 troops in Chad and has helped to evacuate foreigners from N'Djamena.Former colonial power France has 1,400 troops in Chad and has helped to evacuate foreigners from N'Djamena.
Meanwhile, the AFP news agency reports the rebels are willing to accept a ceasefire.Meanwhile, the AFP news agency reports the rebels are willing to accept a ceasefire.
'Think again''Think again'
"We really hope we won't have to intervene further," Mr Kouchner said."We really hope we won't have to intervene further," Mr Kouchner said.
But "when it came to defending the [N'Djamena] airport, our forces did so very sharply, very effectively," he said.But "when it came to defending the [N'Djamena] airport, our forces did so very sharply, very effectively," he said.
Q&A: Rebellion in ChadFrench diplomatic tight-ropeQ&A: Rebellion in ChadFrench diplomatic tight-rope
Rebel leader Mahamat Nouri told French radio that their positions had been bombed throughout Monday.Rebel leader Mahamat Nouri told French radio that their positions had been bombed throughout Monday.
He said the rebel forces would launch a new battle for the city unless the French intervene.He said the rebel forces would launch a new battle for the city unless the French intervene.
"Because of yesterday's UN resolution giving the French a mandate to intervene, we will have to think again," he told Europe 1 radio, AFP reports."Because of yesterday's UN resolution giving the French a mandate to intervene, we will have to think again," he told Europe 1 radio, AFP reports.
At least 15,000 people have fled the city to neighbouring Cameroon, according to the UN refugee agency. Soem 20,000 people have estimated to have fled from N'Djamena to neighbouring Cameroon.
Aid officials say they are struggling to help those who have crossed into Kousseri, just across the Chari River from the Chadian capital.
The man in charge of United Nations relief operations in the town, Gilbert Lubaki, told the BBC they were aiming to reopen a camp 30km away, which had been used in previous emergencies, and organise food distribution and shelter there.
At the moment, he said, many of the refugees were scattered in local schools in Cameroon and surviving on what they had brought with them.
African Union mediators are due in the city to try to end the fighting.African Union mediators are due in the city to try to end the fighting.
The fighting has led the European Union to delay sending its peacekeeping force to Chad. More than half of this 3,700 strong force will be French.The fighting has led the European Union to delay sending its peacekeeping force to Chad. More than half of this 3,700 strong force will be French.
The force was meant to protect refugees from Darfur and aid workers.The force was meant to protect refugees from Darfur and aid workers.
The latest rebel offensive began on the day the first troops were meant to arrive.The latest rebel offensive began on the day the first troops were meant to arrive.
Chad has accused Sudan of backing the rebels to stop the peacekeepers getting too close to Darfur.Chad has accused Sudan of backing the rebels to stop the peacekeepers getting too close to Darfur.
Sudan denies the charges.Sudan denies the charges.