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N'Djamena: Chad's president insisted his government had total control of the country, even as he said three-fourths of his officials had disappeared during weekend battles with rebels that left hundreds dead and prompted thousands to flee the capital.
President Idriss Deby made his first public comments since Friday's rebel attack on N'Djamena, and the next day's coup attempt on the presidential palace.
After meeting with France's defence minister, Deby, dressed in a military uniform, denied reports that he had been injured as N'Djamena was besieged.
Deby said, "We are in total control, not only of the capital, but of all the country. The security forces have repulsed the aggressors. The mercenaries directed by Sudan have been forced to flee."
He said the Chadian army was chasing the rebels, who were fleeing east. However, he did suggest that his government had been weakened
"I am working with less than a quarter of the members of my government," he said. "I do not know where the rest have gone to."
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