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Chad’s government has insisted the situation in the capital of N’Djamena is stable after gunshots were heard near the presidential palace.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video apparently recorded inside the palace complex that there had been a “small incident” but that “everything is calm.”
Sources close to the African state’s government said clashes had broken out between security forces and “terrorist elements.”
The French news agency AFP quoted Koulamallah as saying that 18 attackers and one member of the security forces had been killed.
Following the incident, tanks were seen in the area and all roads leading to the palace were closed, the agency said.
In the video, posted on Facebook, Koulamallah is seen surrounded by members of government forces.
“Nothing serious has happened,” he says.
“We are here and we will defend our country at the price of our blood. Be calm.
“This entire attempt at destabilization has been frustrated.”
He is then seen taking photographs and raising his fist with the soldiers.
Koulamallah, quoted by AFP, said the attack had been launched by a 24-man commando and added that six of the attackers had suffered injuries.
Three other members of the government forces were also wounded, he added.
The incident occurred just hours after a visit to the former French territory by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who met with President Mahamat Déby and other senior officials.
