N'DJAMENA, Chad, Feb. 2 Chad's ambassador to the United States says an attack on the African country's capital of N'Djamena by rebel forces Saturday was repelled.
While earlier reports had at least 400 insurgents entering the presidential palace during the surprise attack, the ambassador told CNN that government forces had quashed the rebel assault.
Security forces said earlier that rebel forces had been seen engaging in heavy fighting with government troops around the palace, the Defense Ministry and the building housing the country's official radio station.
The sources also said the exact whereabouts of President Idriss Deby remained a mystery with some reports having the country's leader fleeing the area and others claiming he remains safe under heavy guard.
The BBC reported earlier in the day that Deby, speaking through his country's foreign ministry, said he was inside the palace and the situation in the capital was under control.
Copyright 2008 by UPI
