BEIJING, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Chadian rebels who were fighting in the
capital city of Ndjamena have accepted a cease-fire proposed by Libyan leader
Muammar Gaddafi, media reported Sunday.
Libya's official news agency Jana reported that Gaddafi contacted the chief
of the biggest rebel force, former diplomat Mahamat Nouri. Nouri agreed to a
cease-fire and to talks aimed at implementing a peace and reconciliation
agreement
The African Union Saturday appointed Gaddafi a mediator in the crisis in
the oil-rich Central African nation.
However, rebel spokesman Mahamat Hassane Boulmaye said he had not heard of
any cease-fire and did not believe Nouri would agree to an unconditional end to
hostilities.
"The fighters would rebel," Boulmaye said in a phone call to The Associated
Press. He added that he was speaking from the border with Sudan and had not
spoken to Nouri since Saturday afternoon.
It is reported that earlier government troops were fighting back rebels
amid reports that at least 400 were in the city and had broken into the
presidential palace.
Heavy fighting was reported around the presidential palace, the defense
ministry and the official radio station building.
The United Nations has decided to evacuate all its staff from Ndjamena due
to fighting, according to William Spindler, a spokesman for the UN High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Chad, a French colony until 1960, has been convulsed by civil wars and
invasions since independence. The recent discovery of oil has only increased the
intensity of the struggle for power in the country.