Chad Declares State of Emergency

Chad's president declared a nationwide state of emergency Thursday, telling citizens that tightened controls are needed to restore order after recent rebel attacks.

In a speech broadcast on national radio and television, President Idriss Deby said he signed a decree increasing the government's powers for 15 days, beginning Friday, as provided for in Chad's constitution.

Deby said the decree instituted "measures important and urgent to maintain order, guarantee stability and assure the good functioning of the state."

Forces loyal to Deby battled rebels February 2-3 in and around the capital of this former French colony in Central Africa.

The Red Cross said more than 160 people were killed and 1,000 wounded in the fighting, which reached the edge of the presidential palace before the rebels were driven out of N'Djamena and back toward Chad's eastern border with Sudan.

Deby's decree, which was read on the broadcast, said that as of Friday there will be "a state of emergency throughout the territory of the Republic of Chad."