Rebels kill Chad President Idriss Deby

A statement from Chad's military said the 68-year-old president was seriously wounded and passed away after fighting with insurgents.

Mr Déby, 68, spent three decades in power and was one of Africa's longest-serving leaders.

After the incident, Debbie's son, 37-year-old Four Star General Mohamed Idriss, had been named head of the military council.

Following the death of President Idris Debbie, the military has announced that it will dissolve parliament and hold elections in 18 months.

It may be recalled that Idris Debbie came to power after a military coup in 1990 and was elected President of the country for the sixth time yesterday.

The latest clashes began on Saturday. An army general told an international news agency that 300 insurgents were killed and 150 were captured.

Five government soldiers were killed and 36 were injured, he said. The figures could not immediately be verified.

Some foreign embassies in the capital have urged their staff to leave.

N'Djamena has come under rebel attack before and there was panic in the city on Monday, with parents taking their children home from school when tanks were deployed along the main roads.