French logistical troops being flown into Chad

A force of French soldiers is being flown from the Central African Republic to N'Djamena, the Chadian capital, sources close to the French Defense Ministry said.

The sources put the number of troops at a maximum of 200 and said their role would be logistical and involve handling military and telecommunications equipment. A Defense Ministry official earlier declined to comment on a report by the domestic French news agency that the troops had been sent to Chad.

Chad's President, Hissein Habre, has pleaded repeatedly for French troops to combat Libyan-backed rebels.