The Chadian government declared a state of emergency on Monday in the capital N'Djamena and eastern areas following clashes which killed several hundred people over the last few weeks, reports reaching Yaounde said.

"Given the seriousness of the situation and the scope these clashes are taking, the government has adopted a state of emergency in three regions currently affected" by the fighting, the government said in a statement.

A government spokesman said the state of emergency covers the eastern regions of Ouaddai, Wadi Fira and Salamat.

The authorities said the state of emergency aimed to quell serious threats to public order leading to insecurity that is rife in these regions, adding that the state of emergency will also extend to other parts of the African country as a preventive measure.
 
The Chadian government also said in the statement that it planned to appoint district administrators in the regions under the state of emergency and give them full powers to react.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2006)