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Chad declares state of emergency Chad declares state of emergency
(1 day later)
The president of Chad has declared a nationwide state of emergency, saying it was needed to restore order after the recent coup attempt in the capital.The president of Chad has declared a nationwide state of emergency, saying it was needed to restore order after the recent coup attempt in the capital.
In a speech broadcast on state media, Idriss Deby said the emergency powers would be in effect for 15 days.In a speech broadcast on state media, Idriss Deby said the emergency powers would be in effect for 15 days.
They include a night-time curfew and controls on the movement of vehicles.They include a night-time curfew and controls on the movement of vehicles.
The rebels, who Chad claims are backed by Sudan, were driven from N'djamena after two days of fighting and back towards the eastern border with Sudan. The rebels, who Chad claims are backed by Sudan, were driven from N'Djamena after two days of fighting and back towards the eastern border with Sudan.
Mr Deby said the decree instituted "measures important and urgent to maintain order, guarantee stability and assure the good functioning of the state". Meanwhile, one of three missing opposition leaders has been found, according to Interior Minister Ahmat Mahamat Bachir.
It also authorised "house searches and controls on the private and public press". We left our houses and took to the streets to say hello to the rebels. We can't go back now Emmanuel, student class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/08/africa_kousseri_refugees/html/1.stm">In pictures: Chad refugees "We have just found [former President] Lol Mahamat Choua, who is alive. I cannot give you more details at the moment," he said, according to the AFP news agency.
Meanwhile, France has acknowledged that its forces transported weapons to Chad's army as it beat back the rebel assault. Earlier this week, France and human rights groups expressed their concern after the three disappeared during the fighting.
France has also acknowledged that its forces transported weapons to Chad's army as it beat back the rebel assault.
The former colonial power said it had acted in accordance with a military co-operation agreement between the two countries.The former colonial power said it had acted in accordance with a military co-operation agreement between the two countries.
EU force Scared
Mr Deby said the emergency decree instituted "measures important and urgent to maintain order, guarantee stability and assure the good functioning of the state".
It also authorised "house searches and controls on the private and public press".
Q&A: Rebellion in ChadProfile: Idriss DebyRefugee's gruelling escape The BBC's Stephanie Hancock says residents of opposition areas of the capital are scared, with few people out on the streets.
One of the 30,000 people who fled Chad to Cameroon told her that some people had welcomed the rebel advance.
"We left our houses and took to the streets to say hello to the rebels. We can't go back now," said a young student called Emmanuel.
"The government forces are going from house to house mistreating us civilians because we cheered for the rebels."
The assault began on 2 February, when the rebels seized control of large parts of the capital, approaching the palace where Mr Deby was holding out.The assault began on 2 February, when the rebels seized control of large parts of the capital, approaching the palace where Mr Deby was holding out.
Q&A: Rebellion in ChadProfile: Idriss DebyRefugee's gruelling escape
The Red Cross said more than 160 people were killed and 1,000 injured in the fighting.The Red Cross said more than 160 people were killed and 1,000 injured in the fighting.
Mr Deby has accused Sudan of being behind the coup bid.Mr Deby has accused Sudan of being behind the coup bid.
But Khartoum has previously denied accusations that it backs Chadian rebels by allowing them bases in its border region of Darfur in neighbouring Sudan. Chad says Darfur wants to delay the deployment of an EU peacekeeping force to Chad, to safeguard refugees from Darfur.
A European Union peacekeeping force is due to arrive in Chad this month, which has a UN mandate to protect civilians and refugees from violence in Darfur, and to provide security for aid agencies. But Khartoum has denied the allegations and in turn accuses Chad of backing rebels in Darfur.
The deployment of the 4,000-strong force was delayed by the rebel attacks. The deployment of the 4,000-strong EU force was delayed by the rebel attacks but is now due by the end of February.
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.