Rebels corner Chadian president

N'Djamena: The Chadian president was holed up in his palace on Sunday after rebels stormed into the capital and surrounded the presidential palace, the military said.

At least two ministers said that President Idriss Deby remained inside the palace complex at the head of loyal troops.

Rebel spokesman Henchi Ordjo said that the rebels were holding back an assault on the palace to allow Deby the opportunity to leave. "No ceasefire has been agreed," he said.

Rebels used pickup trucks mounted with cannon and machine guns to fight their way into the capital on Saturday, sparking an evacuation of French and foreign nationals.

Fighting went on during most of the day and residents reported hearing the sound of machine gun, tank and mortar fire.

Meanwhile, French Defence Minister Herve Morin said on Sunday that he believed that Chad's chief of staff had died in fighting between rebel and government troops. He did not name the Chad official.