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 N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) - Hundreds of civilians have died in fierce fighting between rebels and government forces in Chad's capital, Red Cross officials said Tuesday, as the insurgents agreed to a cease-fire and their momentum faded. Former colonial power France threatened to enter the fight to support the government.
Chad's government told the French military it still was fighting rebels using "air power" outside of N'Djamena, the capital, according to French military spokesman Cmdr. Christophe Prazuck.
Chief rebel leader Mahamat Nouri charged they were being bombarded by French Mirage jets — but France said it had not yet gone on the attack. French intervention in the past helped stave off a major rebel attack in this oil-rich country on President Idriss Deby, accused by the insurgents of corruption and embezzling millions in oil revenue.
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