Chad Army Says It Has Stopped Rebel Advance Toward Capital

N'DJAMENA, CHAD - The Chadian military said it had halted an advance by rebels coming from neighboring Libya, but the rebel group said Sunday that it was pressing ahead after the American and British embassies warned of a possible assault on the capital in the coming days.

Army spokesman Azim Bermandoa Agouna said that clashes had taken place late Saturday in the northern province of Kanem and that the rebel column from Libya was "totally decimated." "Congratulations to our valiant defense and security forces," government spokesman Cherif Mahamat Zene tweeted, describing the rebel forces as "mercenaries coming from Libya." It was not immediately possible to independently corroborate the claims given the remote location where the fighting took place. A warning issued to British citizens, though, said there were believed to be two rebel convoys — one moving from the town of Faya toward the capital, N'Djamena, and another seen headed toward the town of Mao.