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Chad's rebels 'seize' third town Chad's rebels 'seize' third town
(about 2 hours later)
Rebels in Chad say they have taken the eastern town of Biltine, some 750 kilometres (470 miles) from the Chadian capital, N'Djamena. Rebels in Chad say they have taken the eastern town of Biltine - the third town they have captured in recent days.
It is the third town the rebels claim to have taken in recent days, after attacks on Am Dam and Goz Beida. Rebels have said they intend to advance on the capital, N'Djamena, 750 kilometres (470 miles) away, in an effort to topple President Idriss Deby.
Rebels have said they intend to advance towards the capital as they seek to topple President Idriss Deby.
There was no immediate reaction from the government or independent confirmation that Biltine had fallen.There was no immediate reaction from the government or independent confirmation that Biltine had fallen.
The government described a previous claim of a rebel advance as a "publicity stunt".
It said on Sunday that the rebels were trying to draw security forces out of their defensive positions in towns and cities.
'Passing through'
A spokesman for the rebel National Alliance said on Monday that the attackers had met no resistance in Biltine.
They were not planning to remain in the town, he said. The rebels only briefly occupied Goz Beida and passed through Am Dam.
Biltine is just over 90 kilometres (55 miles) north of Abeche, a hub for international aid workers in eastern Chad.
UN staff as well as troops from former colonial power France and a European Union protection force are stationed in Abeche.
In February, rebels reached President Deby's palace before being repelled by government forces.In February, rebels reached President Deby's palace before being repelled by government forces.
The UN has said Sudan and Chad are fighting a proxy war through each other's rebel groups.The UN has said Sudan and Chad are fighting a proxy war through each other's rebel groups.
Last month, rebels from Sudan's Darfur province reached the outskirts of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, before being repelled.
Sudan blamed Chad for that attack - charges denied by Mr Deby's government.
The two countries have signed numerous peace deals but these have never held.The two countries have signed numerous peace deals but these have never held.