Chad rebels seek foreign support for new elections

The Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD),one of three rebel factions which launched a failed assault onthe Chadian capital N'Djamena this month, accused PresidentIdriss Deby's government of a witchhunt against oppositionpoliticians and rival ethnic groups.

"The resolution of the Chad crisis must involve around-table dialogue with the politico-military movements,opposition parties and civil society to create a peacefultransition to free and fair elections," the UFDD statementsaid.

"The UFDD calls for the help of the international communityfor the success of this round table and political transition."

After the February 2-3 battle for N'Djamena, which killedat least 160 civilians, the rebel forces have withdrawn toeastern Chad. They still vow to overturn Deby's 18-year rule inthe oil producing state, which they say is corrupt anddictatorial.

Chad's government came under pressure last week from theEuropean Union to hold talks, as an EU peacekeeping forcedeploys to the country's east. Instability there is hamperinginternational efforts to deliver aid to half a million refugeesfrom Sudan's Darfur region and Chadians displaced by violence.

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Ahmat Allam-Mi said inBrussels after meeting senior European Union officials that thegovernment was talking "at this moment" with the rebels, whoattacked the capital this month. He gave no further details.

The rebels strongly denied any talks were taking place.

The UFDD also appealed to the United Nations, African Unionand European Union to call for the release of all Chad'spolitical detainees, including three opposition leadersallegedly abducted by soldiers in the dying hours of the battlefor N'Djamena.

Deby's government has acknowledged it is holding formerPresident Lol Mahamat Choua as a "prisoner of war", but itdenies any knowledge of the whereabouts of the two other men.

(Additional reporting by Daniel Flynn in Dakar, editing byMary Gabriel)