Rebels descend on Chadian capital

N'DJAMENA, Chad, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Rebel fighters supported by neighboring Sudan seized parts of the Chadian capital N'Djamena as French troops tried to maintain control Sunday, officials said.

Thousands of rebel fighters descended on N'Djamena on the second day of fighting throughout the city.

The fighting prompted officials to evacuate nearly 400 foreigners to nearby Gabon, The Sunday Times of London reported.

Fighting overnight had subsided but officials said heavy weapons fire broke out near the presidential palace early Sunday morning, officials said.

Witnesses reported seeing French combat patrols flying overhead.

France remains officially neutral in the situation, though it expressed solidarity with the government of President Idriss Deby. Chad is a former French colony.

Sudan blames Chad for backing rebels in Darfur and the conflict prompted a delay in the deployment of EU-backed peacekeeping troops to the region.