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Chad’s government has confirmed that the situation in the capital N’Djamena is safe after gunshots were heard near the presidential palace.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video apparently filmed inside the palace that there had been a “small incident” but “everything is calm”.
Sources close to the African country’s government said clashes took place between security forces and “terrorists”.
The French news agency AFP quoted Koulamallah as saying that 18 terrorists and a member of the security team had been killed.
Following this, tanks were seen in the area and all roads leading to the palace were closed, the agency said.
In the video, which was posted on Facebook, Koulamallah can be seen surrounded by government forces.
“There has been no major problem,” he says.
“We are here and we will protect our country at the cost of our blood, stay calm.
“All these attempts to disturb the peace have failed.”
He is then seen taking pictures with, and raising his fist with, the soldiers.
Koulamallah was quoted by AFP as saying that the attack was carried out by a group of 24 people, adding that six of the attackers were injured.
Three more government soldiers were also injured, he said.
This happened just a few hours after visiting the former French territory by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who met with President Mahamat Déby and other senior officials.
