Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno on Thursday declared a state of emergency in the country, according to reports reaching Yaounde from the Chadian capital of N'Djamena.

The measure was to tighten security after a rebel attack on N'Djamena this month, said the reports, quoting an address by Deby on TV and radio.

"These are exceptional measures which I must take to assure the normal functioning of the state," said Deby.

Presidential missions will be appointed to monitor the implementation of the measures, which included travel restrictions and a curfew, said the president.

Allied rebels staged an offensive in N'Djamena in an attempt to overthrow the government of Deby from Feb. 2 to 3. After violent fighting and failing their mission, they withdrew to the central part of the country, before starting their southward movement.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2008)