ATTACK ON CAPITAL CITY REPELLED
CHAD CUTS ALL TIES WITH SUDAN
The BBC reports : "Chad's government has announced it has cut off diplomatic relations with Sudan after repelling a rebel attack on the capital, N'Djamena, on Thursday.
"Sudan denies Chad's accusations that it backs the United Force for Change rebels, who were beaten back by Chadian troops after launching a dawn raid.
"Chad's president has threatened to expel about 200,000 refugees who fled conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. The US called this an unacceptable breach of Chad's obligations."
The Taipei Times reports : "Chadian troops paraded 285 prisoners and laid out the bodies of dead insurgents at the National Assembly building yesterday to demonstrate their victory following a rebel attack on the capital, N'Djamena.
"Some of the prisoners spoke of being conscripted in the rebel United Front for Change. Others said their commanders told them they would not meet any resistance when they attacked the capital before dawn on Thursday.
"In just three days, the rebels charged 1,000km in pickups from their bases and came close to capturing the National Assembly building in the center of N'Djamena.Government troops pushed them back with tanks, artillery and attack helicopters."
The Financial Times reports : "Idriss Déby, president of Chad, yesterday said he was cutting off diplomatic ties with neighbouring Sudan, a day after his forces repulsed a dawn rebel attack on the capital."Officials said more than 100 people were killed after insurgents fought government troops in N'Djamena. Mr Déby, speaking at a public rally, has repeatedly accused Khartoum of backing the rebels, which he has described as mercenaries. Sudan has denied the allegations."
