The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Ndjamena

Chadian rebels seized the capital Ndjamena Saturday after three hours of fighting with government troops, and President Idriss Deby Itno remained at the presidential palace, a military source said.

"The whole of the city is in the hands of the rebels. It's down to mopping-up operations," the source said, adding that Deby was "still in the presidential palace".

Clashes began around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the capital, rebels and military sources said, while a French army source later said around 2,000 rebels were engaged in fierce battles with government troops in the city.

The intense gunfire heard in Ndjamena throughout the morning became more sporadic around 12 noon (1100 GMT), an AFP journalist here said.