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Chad rebels 'marching on capital' Chad denies rebel move on capital
(about 8 hours later)
The French embassy in Chad says a large column of rebel vehicles has been spotted heading towards the capital. Chad's government has denied reports that a large column of rebel vehicles is advancing on the capital, N'Djamena.
The embassy said the possibility of fighting near N'Djamena within the next 24 hours could not be discounted. The French embassy had earlier warned that fighting near N'Djamena within the next 24 hours could not be ruled out.
It has now said the column is no longer progressing towards the city. The government has told people to stay calm as troops mass around the capital.
Earlier, the Chadian government said it had retaken two towns near the Sudanese border, a day after rebels seized them.Earlier, the Chadian government said it had retaken two towns near the Sudanese border, a day after rebels seized them.
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 on Saturday.
'Patrols west'
One rebel leader said his forces had withdrawn from the town of Abeche after inflicting heavy losses on the army, and were preparing to strike again.One rebel leader said his forces had withdrawn from the town of Abeche after inflicting heavy losses on the army, and were preparing to strike again.
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. Government troops are reported to be massing around the capital
Looting The leader of a second rebel group, the Rally of Democratic Forces (RAFD), told AFP news agency that his forces were still in control of Biltine, contrary to government claims.
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. His group was sending out patrols up to 100km west of the town, he said, rather than having a strategy to attack the capital.
Some reports say that between 100 and 120 vehicles may be on their way An unnamed Chadian military source had earlier told AFP that the rebels advancing on N'Djamena were from the RAFD.
Speaking before the government announcement, the BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena said that the capital was on full alert in fear of a rebel attack for the second time in as many months.
The situation is normal in N'Djamena French embassy statement
Some reports had warned between 100 and 120 vehicles could 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."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. That sighting put the rebels at less than 400km from the capital.
The statement urged French residents in N'Djamena not to leave their homes after nightfall. However, the embassy later softened its advice to say the column "was no longer progressing" and that "the situation is normal in N'Djamena".
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. Nonetheless, a Chadian security minister told the BBC that government forces were preparing to deal with a rebel offensive, with army troops mobilised and massing outside N'Djamena.
Rebels last attacked the capital in April, when hundreds of people were killed before the offensive was repelled.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.Last month rebels also threatened to approach the capital, but eventually turned round without attacking.
Aid effortAid 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.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.
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.