Chad in Talks With Rebels - Foreign Minister

Several peace deals between Deby`s government and the rebels, brokered by Libya and Saudi Arabia, have collapsed over the last year.

Chad is negotiating "at this moment" with rebels opposed to President Idriss Deby, Chad's foreign minister Ahmat Allam-Mi told reporters in Brussels on Thursday.

"We are negotiating at this moment with the rebels, we negotiate constantly with the rebels, we know they are manipulated by the government of Sudan," he said after talks with senior European Union officials.

There was no immediate reaction from rebel spokesmen.

Deby and senior Chadian government officials have previously dismissed the idea of talks with the rebels, saying the army defeated a rebel assault on the capital N'Djamena earlier this month.

Several peace deals between Deby's government and the rebels, brokered by Libya and Saudi Arabia, have collapsed over the last year.

Chad says the insurgents, who denounce Deby's 18-year rule as corrupt and dictatorial, are backed by neighbouring Sudan, a charge denied by Khartoum.