سقوط نظام دبي .و لجوء الرئيس للسفارة الفرنسية بأنجمينا

Quote: Fighting erupts in Chad's capital Government soldiers had tightened security in the capital, N'Djamena Heavy fighting has broken out in and around Chad's capital, between government troops and rebels trying to overthrow the president. A BBC correspondent in N'Djamena said some two hours of shelling was directed towards the city centre. Speaking on the radio, President Idriss Deby said government forces had destroyed a small rebel column that attempted to enter the capital at dawn. He said that government troops were in "complete control" of N'Djamena. Only sporadic gunfire could be heard around the capital following his announcement. "It's definitely calmed significantly," an unnamed diplomat told Reuters news agency. Mr Deby, who said he was talking from the presidential palace in the capital, said presidential elections scheduled for early next month would go ahead as planned. The United Force for Change rebels have vowed to overthrow Mr Deby before then. Foreigners have been rushing to muster points in the city from where they can be evacuated. French troops have also taken up positions in the capital. Gunfire Earlier, a rebel spokesman told the BBC that rebel forces were moving towards parliament in the north-east of the city. Chad: Ripe for a coup? Behind Chad's rebel alliance The BBC's Stephanie Hancock in N'Djamena said the sound of shelling had been continuous early in the morning and automatic gunfire could also be heard from the suburbs. The UN refugee agency's Myriam Houtart in the city told the BBC she believed that fighting was moving towards the city centre where the presidential building is located. "We are hearing gunfire and mortar fire," she said. "We have helicopters flying over the city. They have progressed towards the centre of the city." She said a lot of people were staying in their houses. Advance An army source told AFP news agency that fighting broke out when troops attacked rebel positions near the city. President Deby was expecting to stand in elections next month A day earlier, the rebels were said to have moved from the east of the country to within 100km (65 miles) of the capital. Earlier this week they were fighting in Mongo - some 400km east of the capital. Security in the capital was tightened overnight, with armoured vehicles and a heavy army presence on the streets. On Wednesday, people had been queuing at banks to withdraw money and there were reports that many expatriates were preparing for a speedy exit. The rebels accuse Mr Deby of being a dictator and say they want to organise a national forum that will lead to a transitional government and on to democratic elections. Chad, which is rich in oil, has been hit by the conflict in the neighbouring Sudanese western Darfur region, with hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing across the border. Mr Deby's government blames Sudan for inspiring the uprising - an accusation Sudan denies. Sudan accuses Mr Deby of supporting the Sudanese rebels in Darfur who belong to his ethnic group. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the situation was undermining efforts to stabilise the situation in Darfur. Chad's former colonial power, France, flew in an extra 200 troops from Gabon on Wednesday, and now has almost 1,500 troops in the country. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------