Chad says capital not threatened by rebels

N'DJAMENA, Nov 26 (Reuters) Chad's government today denied reports that a rebel column was 400 km (250 miles) away and advancing on the capital N'Djamena, saying the city was in no danger.

''Contrary to reports of the presence of a so-called column of rebels 400 km from the capital, N'Djamena, the government categorically denies this information. It also reassures the population that N'Djamena is in no way threatened,'' the government said in a statement.

Earlier France, which has a military contingent stationed in Chad, warned its citizens in the unstable central African country that a rebel column was moving westwards on the main highway towards N'Djamena.

Hours earlier, the Chadian army retook the eastern town of Abeche from rebel forces who had attacked it on Saturday.

Reuters DH VP0230