France is supporting Deby
2006-04-18 17:49
Paris - The French government is examining a letter sent by opposition leaders in Chad, the French foreign ministry said on Tuesday, days after a rebel attack against the African country's government.
France is traditionally a backer of Chadian President Idriss Deby.
The French ministry said it had sent in military reinforcements to its troops in the central African country, and fired a warning shot toward rebels as tensions in Chad escalated last week.
French President Jacques Chirac telephoned Deby after rebel groups attacked the capital N'djamena on Thursday, leaving at least 350 people dead.
Chirac condemned any attempt to take power in Chad by force.
French foreign ministry spokesperson Denis Simonneau, said on Tuesday: "We have received a letter from (Deby's) opponents, and we are looking into how to follow up."
He decline to elaborate on the contents of the letter.
'France fired shots'
France, colonial ruler of Chad until 1960, has 1 200 troops already in Chad to protect the 1 500 French citizens who live there.
Julien Dray, spokesperson for France's opposition Socialists, called on Chirac and the French government to "clarify" its role in the violence in Chad last week.
His call follows unconfirmed reports that French forces shot at rebels. The French defence ministry strongly denied the reports.
Dray said: "It appears to now be confirmed that the French army did more than provide technical assistance. France's position needs to be clarified."
- AP