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Chad: N'Djamena arrests follow 'failed coup' Chad: N'Djamena arrests follow 'failed coup'
(about 2 hours later)
Several people including an opposition MP have been arrested in the Chad capital N'Djamena, in what the government has described as an attempted "destabilisation plot".Several people including an opposition MP have been arrested in the Chad capital N'Djamena, in what the government has described as an attempted "destabilisation plot".
A government statement said a "small group" had been conspiring for more than four months.A government statement said a "small group" had been conspiring for more than four months.
Leaders of the alleged plot were being investigated by prosecutors, it added.Leaders of the alleged plot were being investigated by prosecutors, it added.
Chad has a long history of coups and revolts. Current President Idriss Deby himself seized power in a coup in 1990.Chad has a long history of coups and revolts. Current President Idriss Deby himself seized power in a coup in 1990.
'Neutralised'
The BBC's Nathalie Magnien in N'Djamena says it is business as usual in the capital and no-one seems particularly concerned about the news.
There is no visible sign of increased security in the city or patrols on the streets, she says.
"A small group of ill-intentioned individuals attempted to carry out a destabilisation plot against the institutions of the republic," the government said."A small group of ill-intentioned individuals attempted to carry out a destabilisation plot against the institutions of the republic," the government said.
It said that the country's security forces "neutralised" them, without specifying how many people were involved in the alleged action.It said that the country's security forces "neutralised" them, without specifying how many people were involved in the alleged action.
Police and opposition sources said opposition MP Saleh Makki was among those held.Police and opposition sources said opposition MP Saleh Makki was among those held.
His party, the coalition Co-ordination of Political Parties for the Defence of the Constitution (CPDC), told the BBC it was confused by his arrest.
Mr Makki was arrested by police between 21:00 and 22:00 local time on Wednesday evening, his wife told the CPDC.
The security services also carried out a number of arrests in the army, military sources told Reuters news agency.The security services also carried out a number of arrests in the army, military sources told Reuters news agency.
Our reporter says it is not clear what charges they will face.
Since its independence from France in 1960, Chad's history has been marked by instability and violence stemming mostly from tension between the mainly Arab-Muslim north and the predominantly Christian and animist south.Since its independence from France in 1960, Chad's history has been marked by instability and violence stemming mostly from tension between the mainly Arab-Muslim north and the predominantly Christian and animist south.
Mr Deby has survived two attacks on the capital - in 2006 and 2008 - from rebels in eastern Chad.
These rebels were supported by Sudan's government, which was unhappy that Darfuri rebels were using eastern Chad as a base. But a rapprochement between Chad and Sudan in 2010 has helped bring peace to that region.
Earlier this year, Chad deployed some 2,000 troops to help oust Islamists who had seized large swathes of territory in Mali.Earlier this year, Chad deployed some 2,000 troops to help oust Islamists who had seized large swathes of territory in Mali.