CHADIAN REBELS 'INSIDE CAPITAL' !

Chadian rebels have entered the capital Ndjamena and are heading for the presidential palace, according to the rebels and eyewitnesses in the city. But the country's foreign minister said President Idriss Deby was inside the palace and the situation in the city was under control.

France called on its citizens in Chad to stay indoors, reversing an earlier order to gather at evacuation points. The African Union has expressed deep concern at the crisis. "We are really, deeply preoccupied by the situation today in Chad," said Jean Ping, the newly elected chairman of the AU Commission. The AU is discussing the crisis on the last day of its annual summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing rebel activity in the south and east of N'Djamena, with fighting later spreading to the area around the presidential palace.

THE REBEL COALITION
Unified Military Command includes:
Union of Forces for Democracy (UFDD) led by Mahamat Nouri
Rally of Forces for Change (RFC) led by Timane Erdimi
UFDD-Fundamental led by Abdelwahid Aboud Mackaye


A rebel spokesman, Abakar Tollimi, told AFP news agency that government troops were "scattering" and that President Idriss Deby would fall within hours. Government officials said the forces were evenly matched but have not ruled out the possibility that the rebels could take N'Djamena.

About 150 French troops have arrived to help evacuate some 1,500 expatriates, but the French authorities are now strongly advising their citizens to stay at home.

The BBC's Stephanie Hancock, recently based in Chad, says insecurity has always been the hallmark of Mr Deby's 17-year rule. But the tide began to turn last year when he changed the constitution so that he could run for a third term in office, she says. This prompted mass desertions from the army, and the situation was made worse by the accumulation of oil wealth by Mr Deby and his entourage.

But there is also friction with Sudan, with both countries backing rebel movements in the other.
BBC NEWS REPORT.