Chadian rebels who were fighting in the capital city of Ndjamena
have accepted a cease-fire proposed by Libyan leader Muammar
Gaddafi, media reported Sunday.
Libya's official news agency Jana reported that Gaddafi
contacted the chief of the biggest rebel force, former diplomat
Mahamat Nouri. Nouri agreed to a cease-fire and to talks aimed at
implementing a peace and reconciliation agreement.
The African Union Saturday appointed Gaddafi a mediator in the
crisis in the oil-rich Central African nation.
However, rebel spokesman Mahamat Hassane Boulmaye said he had
not heard of any cease-fire and did not believe Nouri would agree
to an unconditional end to hostilities.
"The fighters would rebel," Boulmaye said in a phone call to
The Associated Press. He added that he was speaking from
the border with Sudan and had not spoken to Nouri since Saturday
afternoon.
It is reported that earlier government troops were fighting back
rebels amid reports that at least 400 were in the city and had
broken into the presidential palace.
Heavy fighting was reported around the presidential palace, the
defense ministry and the official radio station building.
The United Nations has decided to evacuate all its staff from
Ndjamena due to fighting, according to William Spindler, a
spokesman for the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Chad, a French colony until 1960, has been convulsed by civil
wars and invasions since independence. The recent discovery of oil
has only increased the intensity of the struggle for power in the
country.
(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2008)
