Assault on N’Djamena comes amid visit by China FM, withdrawal of French troops, and instability caused by armed groups.

The government later said 19 people were killed in the fighting, of which 18 were members of the 24-strong commando unit that

State media in Chad say an attack on the presidential palace left 18 assailants dead and six in custody, with one soldier killed and three wounded.

Gunmen launched an attack on the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on Wednesday, sparking a battle that left 18 attackers and one security personnel member dead and several others injured,

Two dozen assailants armed with weapons and machetes launched an assault on Chad's presidential palace which the government said was thwarted but the opposition cast doubt Thursday on the official account of events.