Chadian President says determined to get rid of rebels

May 16, 2009 (NDJAMENA) — Chadian President Idriss Deby has said Saturday “determined to get rid once and for all” of the rebels and will continue to exercise his “right of hot pursuit” in Sudan, which accuses Chad of bombing raids on its territory.

“We used our right of hot pursuit and the use of right will continue with the support of the Chadian people,” Deby told reporters during the inauguration of a bridge in Lai, Southern Chad.

The army is determined to get rid once and for all of the mercenaries paid by the Sudan,” he added.

Deby also said it was not in Sudan’s interest to threaten Chad or threaten reprisals of which it was not capable of.

Sudan accused Chad of conducting air raids Friday and Saturday on its territory, an accusation that he implicitly acknowledged Friday night.

Chadian rebels launched an offensive against the government last week but were forced by the Chadian army to regain the Western Sudan, where they are based.

Mahamat Hissene, the spokesperson of the Chadian government said on Friday that the air strikes aim only to get rid of the rebels “instrumentalised” by Khartoum.

(ST)