By Tomás A. Granados, Prensa Latina
United Nations : The UN Security Council joined the African Union Monday in condemning rebel groups’ trying to overthrow the government of Chad President Idriss Deby.
The Security Council statement came at the end of an extraordinary session that began Sunday afternoon because of the confrontations between government troops and rebels in N Djamena, the capital.
Chadian diplomatic officials told press privately that forces supporting President Idriss Deby had retaken control of the capital from the rebels.
However, spokespersons of the three armed groups seeking to overthrow Deby said the moved out from the center of N Djamena so that the civilian population can be safe in a possible final attack.
Since Friday Chadian government officials have accused the government of Sudan of supporting armed opposition groups, and this month’s Security Council president, Panama Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias, read a warning to Sudan to not take advantage of this crisis.
The Council likewise reacted to threats from Chad to cross Sudanese borders in pursuit of the rebels.
Khartoum counterclaims that the Chadian government helps rebel groups in Darfur, conflicted region of Sudan, and the Security Council asked for “respect for unity and territorial integrity from the members of the African Union.”
The Security Council particularly supported the initiative of the African Union to appoint Libyan leader Muammar Khaddafi and Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso to mediate.
The UN Security Council also supported deploying more than 3,000 European Union soldiers (EUFOR) in eastern Chad, bordering Darfur.