|
French sent weapons to Chad
14/02/2008 21:42 - (SA)
Paris - The French armed forces delivered ammunition to the Chadian army to help it repel a rebel assault against President Idriss Deby Itno, a French defence ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.
"French forces took part in the delivery of ammunition destined for the Chadian forces" during a rebel assault on the capital N'Djamena earlier this month, spokesperson Laurent Teisseire told a press conference.
He refused to specify what type or quantity of ammunition was involved, or from where it was delivered.
The spokesperson also said it was possible that Libyan aircraft had delivered ammunition to the Chadian army, noting that several aircraft had touched down at N'Djamena airport to evacuate Libyan nationals.
France, the former colonial power which has 1 450 troops plus Mirage jet fighters in Chad, has said it provided Deby with logistical and intelligence support - but no direct military assistance - to fight off the rebel attack.
Defence Minister Herve Morin reaffirmed on Thursday that France did not "participate directly in combat".
"We had to protect the airport...," where French troops were overseeing the evacuation of hundreds of foreign nationals, Morin told France 24 television.
"Of course we responded every time we felt that the control of the airport might be at risk, but it was never an offensive action on our behalf."
"France fulfilled its obligation, which is a technical military cooperation accord where we provide back-up, logistics, healthcare.
"We did not participate militarily, directly in combat, except to ensure our own defence or the safety of the nationals that we evacuated."
- AFP
|
News
