The United Nations Security Council is urging the international community to support the Chadian government against armed rebels, in a conflict that has forced thousands of civilians to flee the capital, N'Djamena.
The Security Council passed a non-binding statement in New York on Monday condemning the rebels. It urged member states to respond to the Chadian government's requests for help.
Earlier, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said if the resolution was passed, France could intervene. France has some 15-hundred troops in Chad, but they are not involved in any military activity.
The rebels withdrew from the capital overnight after two days of heavy fighting. They say they deliberately pulled back to allow civilians to escape before they launch another assault on the capital.
Chad's government says it has crushed the rebellion and fully controls the capital.
The rebels have vowed to overthrow President Idriss Deby if he does not accept a power-sharing agreement. Mr. Deby has held power since 1990, and has eliminated presidential term limits. He is also accused of corruption.
In Belgium today, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the EU still plans to deploy a peacekeeping force to eastern Chad, although the recent fighting has delayed the deployment. The mission plans to protect thousands of refugees from Sudan's Darfur region.
The Security Council passed a non-binding statement in New York on Monday condemning the rebels. It urged member states to respond to the Chadian government's requests for help.
Earlier, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said if the resolution was passed, France could intervene. France has some 15-hundred troops in Chad, but they are not involved in any military activity.
The rebels withdrew from the capital overnight after two days of heavy fighting. They say they deliberately pulled back to allow civilians to escape before they launch another assault on the capital.
Chad's government says it has crushed the rebellion and fully controls the capital.
The rebels have vowed to overthrow President Idriss Deby if he does not accept a power-sharing agreement. Mr. Deby has held power since 1990, and has eliminated presidential term limits. He is also accused of corruption.
In Belgium today, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the EU still plans to deploy a peacekeeping force to eastern Chad, although the recent fighting has delayed the deployment. The mission plans to protect thousands of refugees from Sudan's Darfur region.