17 June 2008 - 05H07
Chad's Deby accuses EUFOR of helping rebels
As rebel forces in Chad claim they have advanced deep into the country, embattled President Idriss Deby accuses the European peacekeeping force, EUFOR, of cooperating with the rebels against government troops.
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FRANCE 24Rebel offensive in Chad
Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno on Monday accused the European force, EUFOR, of cooperating with rebels who have clashed with government troops in the east of the country.
"We welcomed EUFOR with joy ... but it took us by surprise to see, in the first hostile situation, this force cooperating with the invadors," Deby said in a televised address, referring to rebels who have launched an offensive against Deby's regime.
"We have the right to question the effectiveness of this force and how useful its presence is in Chad," Deby added.
The mainly French EUFOR force, expected to reach 3,700 soldiers, was sent to Chad in mid-March for one year to help facilitate the humanitarian work and protect the 250,000 refugees from war-torn Darfur in neighbouring Sudan who have fled to camps in eastern Chad.
The force is also there to protect some 180,000 internally displaced people in Chad who have fled the fighting between the army and rebel groups.
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