US orders non-essential personnel out of Chad over fears of rebel attacks on capital

As long-serving president Idriss Deby seems set for election win, fighting has broken out between army and rebels in country's north

The US has ordered its non-essential diplomats out of Chad over fears of insurgent attacks on the capital, as early election results show president Idriss Deby is poised to continue his three-decade rule of the African nation.

With armed groups appearing to be advancing on the capital, N'Djamena, the US State Department on Saturday ordered non-essential diplomats and families of American personnel to leave the country.