France, US prepare to evacuate nationals from Chad

N'Djamena: French and American embassies in Chad were preparing their nationals there for possible evacuation on Saturday as rebels threatened the capital N'Djamena.

Radio France International reported that the sounds of heavy weapons fire could be heard coming from outside the city from the northeast.

Rebels opposed to President Idriss Deby are advancing towards the city, a Chadian opposition website reported.

The rebels have called on Deby to accept a power-sharing deal or face an attack on N'Djamena.