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The government of Chad has insisted the situation in capitol N’Djamena is stable after gunshots were heard near the presidential palace.<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video apparently recorded within the palace complex that there had been a “little incident” but that “everything is calm”.<\/p>\n
Sources close to the African state’s government said clashes had occurred between security forces and “terrorist elements”.<\/p>\n
The French news agency AFP quoted Koulamallah as saying that 18 attackers and a member of the security forces had been killed.<\/p>\n
Following the incident, tanks were seen in the area and all roads leading to the palace were closed, the agency said<\/p>\n
In the video, posted to Facebook, Koulamallah is seen surrounded by members of the government forces.<\/p>\n
“Nothing serious has happened,” he says.<\/p>\n
“We are here and we will defend our country at the price of our blood. Be calm.<\/p>\n
“This whole attempt at destabilisation has been thwarted.”<\/p>\n
He is then seen taking photos with, and raising his fist with, the soldiers.<\/p>\n
Koulamallah was quoted by AFP as saying the assault had been launched by a 24-man commando unit, adding that six of the attackers had suffered injuries.<\/p>\n
A further three members of the government forces also suffered injuries, he added.<\/p>\n
The incident came just hours after a visit to the former French territory by China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who met President Mahamat D\u00e9by and other senior officials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n