Hundreds of rebels penetrated the capital of Chad today, clashing with government troops and moving on the presidential palace after a three-day advance across the Central African nation, officials and witnesses said. Looting, gunfire and explosions were reported.

Rebels fought back a Chadian army attack outside an eastern Chad town, killing 100 soldiers and injuring an unknown number of others, a rebel spokesman said.

Soldiers have gathered along a strategic road in trucks mounted with machine guns as a rebel convoy was spotted heading towards the capital of Chad.