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| Troops deploy around Chad capital | Troops deploy around Chad capital |
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| Chad's government troops have deployed outside the capital, N'Djamena, in case of a rebel attack, but it denies that the city is under threat | Chad's government troops have deployed outside the capital, N'Djamena, in case of a rebel attack, but it denies that the city is under threat |
| The French embassy had warned that fighting could near the city within 24 hours but it now says a rebel column is no longer progressing towards the city. | The French embassy had warned that fighting could near the city within 24 hours but it now says a rebel column is no longer progressing towards the city. |
| A BBC correspondent in the capital says people are going to work as normal. | A BBC correspondent in the capital says people are going to work as normal. |
| Earlier, the government said it had retaken two towns near the Sudanese border, a day after rebels seized them. | |
| In April, a rebel column advanced from the Sudanese border to the outskirts of N'Djamena before being repelled. | In April, a rebel column advanced from the Sudanese border to the outskirts of N'Djamena before being repelled. |
| 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. | 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' | '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| One rebel leader said his forces had withdrawn from the town of Abeche after inflicting heavy losses on the army, and were preparing to strike again. | One rebel leader said his forces had withdrawn from the town of Abeche after inflicting heavy losses on the army, and were preparing to strike again. |
| Government troops are deployed around the capital | Government troops are deployed around the capital |
| 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 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. |
| His group was sending out patrols up to 100km west of the town, he said, rather than having a strategy to attack the capital. | His group was sending out patrols up to 100km west of the town, he said, rather than having a strategy to attack the capital. |
| An unnamed Chadian military source had earlier told AFP that the rebels advancing on N'Djamena were from the RAFD. | An unnamed Chadian military source had earlier told AFP that the rebels advancing on N'Djamena were from the RAFD. |
| Some reports had warned between 100 and 120 vehicles could be on their way. | 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." |
| That sighting put the rebels at less than 400km from the capital. | That sighting put the rebels at less than 400km from the capital. |
| However, the embassy later softened its advice to say the column "was no longer progressing" and that "the situation is normal in N'Djamena". | However, the embassy later softened its advice to say the column "was no longer progressing" and that "the situation is normal in N'Djamena". |
| 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. | 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 effort | 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. | 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. |