France sent its Defense Minister Herve Morin in Chad to honor its promise that it would help its former colony through the current unrest.

The French Minister will meet Chad’s President Idriss Deby, whose government has been fighting rebels for the last couple of days. The rebel troops managed to enter the capital city and were countered by government forces. After fierce battles the rebels were pushed out of the capital and eventually accepted a cease fire.

Before Morin’s arrival in the troubled African country, President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed that Paris will "do its duty" regarding the rebel attacks.

Although France reportedly has approximately 1,500 troops stationed in Chad, Morin insists that his country’s military agreement with Chad is limited to logistical, medical, and training support. He added that a French intervention would be possible, but only under a UN resolution.

Morin also explained the several French planes that have been flying over Chad's border with Sudan. The purpose of those flights is to ensure against what he called "foreign incursions."

Sudan has been accused by Chad and France of backing the rebels, charges denied by Khartoum. Morin said that the near future will show if Sudan’s supposed involvement is true or not.

Chad current and beleaguered president, Idriss Deby, was democratically elected and the international monitors said the last election was held under normal conditions.

Mr. Deby has become Chad’s president in 1990 and changed the constitution to eliminate term limits, but the rebels accuse him of corruption.
 
The latest reports have showed that Chad's capital of N'Djamena is currently calm, but tension is still palpable with the rebels just outside the city. According to a military source, a column of approximately 30 pick-up trucks carrying rebels was stationing at a northern entrance to the city.

Rebel forces accepted Tuesday an immediate ceasefire. The rebels are holding France responsible for creating "enormous" civilian casualties and for the "direct involvement in the conflict."

France and Chad accused Sudan for the coup attempt in Chad, but Sudan denied any allegations.