Sudan denied on Thursday an accusation that it had provided support for Chadian rebels, saying that recent conflicts between the Chadian army and the rebels in the border areas took place without any Sudanese involvement."

A turbulence in the region is not in our interest. Our interest is the stability in Darfur and neighboring Chad," a statement issued by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said.

The statement reiterated Sudan's commitment to the promise, which was made by both Sudan and Chad during a meeting in Libyan capital Tripoli last February, of restraining from supporting rebels in the other country.

On Wednesday, Chad accused Sudan of supporting Chadian rebels who have resumed military operations in the east of the country."

These rebels entered Chad from Sudan and they could only have procured this type of military equipment within the sight of and with the knowledge of the Sudanese authorities," Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmat Allami said, adding "Sudan cannot deny it."

Chadian rebels from the recently formed Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD) on Monday captured the town of AmTiman, and earlier on Sunday, briefly seized the town of Goz Beida near the Sudanese border.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2006)