The World : Chad Seizes Libyan Base

Chad said its forces captured Libya’s key air base of Ouadi Doum in northern Chad after what it described as a “violent battle.” In Paris, the French Defense Ministry confirmed that the base has fallen to the Chadian army, which has French support. The capture of the base, which reportedly had been guarded by about 5,000 Libyans, appears to be the biggest victory by Chad since it launched a drive to reconquer the north last December. A statement read over Chad’s official radio called it a battle “that will remain unforgettable in Chadian history.” Libyan television, monitored by the British Broadcasting Corp., made no mention of the air base.