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Chad president 'in total control' Chad president 'in total control'
(41 minutes later)
Chad's president has appeared in public for the first time since an attempted coup, saying the government had successfully repulsed the rebels.Chad's president has appeared in public for the first time since an attempted coup, saying the government had successfully repulsed the rebels.
"We are in total control, not only of the capital, but of all the country," Idriss Deby told reporters from the presidential palace in the capital."We are in total control, not only of the capital, but of all the country," Idriss Deby told reporters from the presidential palace in the capital.
In N'Djamena, dead bodies left on the streets since rebels fled on Sunday, are being collected by aid workers.In N'Djamena, dead bodies left on the streets since rebels fled on Sunday, are being collected by aid workers.
Meanwhile, the French defence minister is on a visit to show his support.Meanwhile, the French defence minister is on a visit to show his support.
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in N'Djamena says the army and French soldiers can be seen patrolling the streets.The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in N'Djamena says the army and French soldiers can be seen patrolling the streets.
France has strongly upheld its commitment regarding the aggression President Idriss Deby France's tough Chad choice
Our reporter says attack helicopters can be heard taking off to go and bomb rebel positions outside the city.Our reporter says attack helicopters can be heard taking off to go and bomb rebel positions outside the city.
He says thanks to intelligence and logistics provided by the French military they will be hunting for the rebel's 200 pick-up trucks which withdrew after the heavy battles over the weekend.He says thanks to intelligence and logistics provided by the French military they will be hunting for the rebel's 200 pick-up trucks which withdrew after the heavy battles over the weekend.
I telephoned my friend in N'Djamena and he told me that my mother, my father and my fiancee had all been shot - I don't know whether to cry or kill myself "Mohammed", refugee Refugee's gruelling escape
Aid workers believe up to 1,000 people were wounded in the fighting. Medecins Sans Frontieres says more than 500 people have been admitted to their hospitals.
Meanwhile, aid officials in Cameroon say they are struggling to help about 20,000 Chadian refugees who have fled the fighting.
More than 3,000 other refugees have fled to Nigeria.
Earlier, the leader of the main UFDD rebel group said it was prepared to agree a ceasefire in return for the promise of negotiations with the government, but the government dismissed the offer, saying it had already beaten the rebels.
A mediation mission from Libya and Congo-Brazzaville, appointed by the African Union is due to meet both sides.
Tension
Our correspondent says people in the capital are coming out of hiding in their houses for the first time in four days.
Q&A: Rebellion in ChadProfile: Idriss DebyFrance's tough Chad choice
Many buildings have been destroyed and the wrecks of cars can be seen at most junctions, he says.
The atmosphere is tense and patrols of both government and French troops can be seen patrolling the streets.
The rebels have disappeared into the vast desert surrounding the city and are believed to be short of fuel and ammunition.
Before arriving in N'Djamena, Mr Morin said that France did have a military agreement with Chad which provides for logistical, medical and training support, but "in no way is it a defence agreement... that would oblige France to intervene to protect the sovereignty of the country involved".
However, he admitted that French fighter jets and reconnaissance planes had been flying over the border with Sudan over the past 36 hours in line with a request from President Nicolas Sarkozy to ensure there are no foreign incursions.
The government has accused Sudan of giving the rebel groups rear bases in Darfur, a charge which Khartoum denies.
A French-dominated European Union peacekeeping force had been due to start deploying to eastern Chad last week to give the refugees and aid workers there a measure of protection, but the latest rebel offensive began at the same time.
BBC world affairs correspondent Mark Doyle says one theory is that Sudan encouraged the rebels to attack in order to stop the EU opening a window on Khartoum's activities in Darfur, where it has been accused of genocide.
Although the former French colony has a history of coups, last week's fighting was the most violent in decades.Although the former French colony has a history of coups, last week's fighting was the most violent in decades.
Tension
Our correspondent says Mr Deby was dressed in full military uniform when he called the attackers "mercenaries" and accused Sudan of behind the coup bid.
Q: Rebellion in ChadProfile: Idriss DebyRefugee's gruelling escape
Khartoum has previously denied accusations that it backs Chadian rebels by allowing them bases in its border region of Darfur.
Mr Deby said he believed most of the attackers had fled the capital.
"We're at their heels and we shall catch them before they get back to Sudan," he said.
He thanked France, which has a military agreement with Chad to provide logistical, medical and training aid, for its support during the crisis.
"France did not fail in its commitments. France has strongly upheld its commitment regarding the aggression," Mr Deby said.
During his visit, French Defence Minister Herve Morin has reiterated that France would support the legitimate Chadian government.
Looting
Meanwhile, the authorities hope that residents who fled the capital will consider returning home - despite the widespread destruction during the fighting.
Burnt out vehicles litter N'Djamena's streets
"I'm going home because the situation seems to have stabilised. We heard it on the radio that's why we are going back home to see the situation," Chadian Issara Hassan said across the river in Cameroon where more than 20,000 people have taken refuge.
But for aid agencies coping with the humanitarian fallout, widespread looting in the capital has made the situation difficult.
"Half of the UN offices in N'Djamena were looted. This problem will have consequences and implications on our humanitarian programmes," UN spokesperson Elizabeth Brys said.
Meanwhile, the aid agency Save The Children has called for the establishment of an emergency air corridor to eastern Chad where half a million refugees from Sudan and war-displaced Chadians rely on aid.
A French-dominated European Union peacekeeping force had been due to start deploying to eastern Chad last week to give the refugees and aid workers there a measure of protection.