Chad leader urges France to intervene in fighting

President Hissein Habre reported heavy fighting between loyal and rebel forces in eastern Chad and appealed to France to intervene directly in the struggle.

The President said the two sides were fighting for control of the towns of AmchalloubaPx m. // , southeast of Faya-Largeaum which fell earlier to the rebel forces of former Chadian President Goukhouni Woddei. He said the main objective of the latest rebel push appeared to be the strategic town of Abeche, 450 miles east of the capital. Recent military supplies delivered by France were not enough compared with what the rebels were receiving from Libya, he said.