Fighting broke out between rebels and government forces in Chad's capital Ndjamena Saturday as rebel fighters entered the city from several directions and moved on the presidential palace.

Currently, there is no information about the whereabouts of Chad's President Idriss Deby, who was in the palace when fighters armed with machine guns, rocket launchers, and Kalashnikov rifles entered the city, CNN reported.

The country's parliament building has been ravaged, high-ranking sources told reporters.

The French and U.S. embassies have been working on preparations to evacuate their staff and citizens, but fighting near the airport prevented anyone from leaving, witnesses said.

The reports came a day after the French Defense Ministry said it was sending 140 soldiers from Gabon to N'Djamena as a precaution to protect French citizens amid renewed fighting between government troops and rebels in the African country.

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