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Chad 'retakes town from rebels' Chad rebels 'marching on capital'
(about 5 hours later)
The Chadian army says it has retaken the eastern town of Abeche, a day after it reportedly fell into rebel hands. The French embassy in Chad says a large column of rebel vehicles has been spotted heading towards the capital.
Rebels, who claimed to be holding Abeche, fled the town on Sunday morning, the Chadian military said. The embassy said the possibility of fighting near N'Djamena within the next 24 hours could not be discounted.
On Saturday two rebel groups said they had captured Abeche, about 700km (440 miles) east of the capital, N'Djamena, and the nearby town of Biltine. Earlier, the Chadian government said it had retaken two towns near the Sudanese border, a day after rebels seized them.
Several rebel groups based in eastern Chad want to depose the President, Idriss Deby. One rebel leader said his forces had withdrawn from the town of Abeche after inflicting heavy losses on the army, and were preparing to strike again.
Chad's Defence Minister, Bichara Issa Djadallah, told the BBC that Abeche is now totally under control of the government, and said Forces for Development and Democracy (UFDD) rebels fled after the Chadian Army surrounded their positions. Abeche, about 700km (440 miles) east of N'Djamena, and the nearby town of Biltine, were captured by two different groups opposed to the rule of President Idriss Deby.
The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena says in the past few hours, government soldiers have been seen in the streets of Abeche. Looting
Aid workers there report seeing several vehicles driving through town, with many of the soldiers cheering. The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena says that for the second time in as many months, the capital is on full alert in fear of a rebel attack.
Calm restored Some reports say that between 100 and 120 vehicles may be on their way
In a statement sent to the AFP news agency, the French embassy said: "The military situation changed swiftly at the end of the morning. The presence of a large rebel column has been confirmed in the Bata region of the country, heading west."
The sighting puts the rebels at less than 400km from the capital.
The statement urged French residents in N'Djamena not to leave their homes after nightfall.
AFP, quoting an unnamed Chadian military source, said the advancing rebels were from the Rally of Democratic Forces (RAFD) - the group that briefly took Biltine on Saturday.
Rebels last attacked the capital in April, when hundreds of people were killed before the offensive was repelled.
Last month rebels also threatened to approach the capital, but eventually turned round without attacking.
Aid effort
Chad's Defence Minister, Bichara Issa Djadallah, told the BBC that another rebel group, the Forces for Development and Democracy (UFDD), had fled Abeche on Sunday morning after the Chadian Army surrounded their positions.
Extensive looting took place in Abeche on Saturday night, and there are reports that at least three humanitarian compounds were targeted.Extensive looting took place in Abeche on Saturday night, and there are reports that at least three humanitarian compounds were targeted.
Our correspondent says Abeche is now reported to be totally calm, although there was sporadic gunfire heard in some eastern quarters of the city.
Abeche, about 160km from the Sudanese border, is the centre of a huge relief operation, to assist refugees from the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.Abeche, about 160km from the Sudanese border, is the centre of a huge relief operation, to assist refugees from the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.
About 200,000 refugees have crossed the border into Chad to escape the violence in Darfur.About 200,000 refugees have crossed the border into Chad to escape the violence in Darfur.
The Chadian government has accused Sudan of backing the rebels - a charge Sudan denies - while Chad denies Sudanese claims that it supports black African rebels in Darfur.The Chadian government has accused Sudan of backing the rebels - a charge Sudan denies - while Chad denies Sudanese claims that it supports black African rebels in Darfur.