France says Sudan was backing the Chadian rebels

Yesterday, according to Sudan Tribune report here below, France's foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner told the French parliament that Sudan was backing the Chadian rebels who clashed with government troops in eastern Chad earlier this month. The minister also said that the French troops based in the troubled country didn’t take part in the military operations.

From Sudan Tribune, Friday 22 May 2009:
French Prime Minister says Sudan is the key of Chad troubles

May 21, 2009 (YAOUNDE, Cameroon) – French Prime Minister said today that Sudan is responsible of political troubles in the neighboring Chad saying the solution of Ndjamena unrest lies in Khartoum.

"Everyone can see very well that the solution to the problems of Chad is not to be found in Chad," said Fillon during a discussion with students at the international relations institute in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde.

"They are to be found in Sudan, they are to be found in the resolution of conflicts which affect Sudan and its neighbors," he further said.

Fillion was referring to the six year conflict in Darfur.

Yesterday the foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner told the French parliament that Sudan was backing the Chadian rebels who clashed with government troops in eastern Chad earlier this month. The minister also said that the French troops based in the troubled country didn’t take part in the military operations.

Fillon echoed Kouchner statements saying French President Nicolas Sarkozy does not want to see French army playing a role in the Chadian internal affairs.

"That is the reason why these armed forces didn’t intervene during the crisis that has taken place in Chad," he said.

Paris which backs the government of President Idriss Deby asked Libya to intervene between the two neighboring countries. A Libyan minister was in Khartoum to propose a mediation plan. Unconfirmed reports say Sudan pledged to study the Libyan proposal while Tripoli is in trouble with Ndjamena which says accepting only UN solution.

Sudanese officials blame Paris for its unconditional support to Chadian government, saying it was even unable to dissuade President Deby to implement the signed previous agreement or to stop its support to Darfur rebels.

Also after three raids carried by the Chadian government inside the Sudan, Khartoum warned it will hit the Chadian army if it attacks once again the Sudanese territory. The UNAMID spoke in its daily briefing of Thursday about "tense" situation in the region.  (ST)