By KUNA
Paris : Only a day after saying France had no intention of intervening militarily in the conflict in Chad, and would not get involved in combat against rebels there, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said France had the “possibility” and the “obligation” to help the government in Chad.
Kouchner said on “Europe 1” radio that a UN Security Council Presidential statement allowed for and obliged France to take action, although it was not clear what this should be.
Two days ago, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said France would do whatever was necessary and “do its duty” to support the legal government of President Idriss Deby, who was almost overthrown last weekend.
Chad says the rebellion is supported by Sudan and also accuses Libya of being behind the insurgency, even though Libya is supposed to be a mediator in the conflict.
Rebels, who withdrew from the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, on Sunday had agreed a cease-fire on Tuesday, but Chadian Foreign Minister, Ahmat Allam-mi said at a press conference here that the insurgents were only regrouping 50 kilometres from the capital.
Kouchner confirmed to the French radio that the rebels were indeed regrouping and he said there were between 100 to 200 vehicles grouped in a column, although he declined to speculate as to whether they would attack or not.
France also announced separately that Defence Minister Herve Morin had flown to Chad on Wednesday to hold consultations with the French forces on the ground there and to bring a message of support to Deby and to the government of Chad.
There are over 1,400 French soldiers based in Chad and they have been crucial in evacuating over 1,200 French and foreign civilians caught up in the fighting. France denies its troops have had any role in the fighting, except to repel attacks on columns transporting refugees.
France also withdrew last weekend its Mirage F1 fighters to a safer area in Gabon.