(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-05 21:09

PARIS --  French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday his country is ready to intervene militarily in Chad if necessary.

"If France must do its duty, it will do so," Sarkozy said, "Let no one doubt it."

Sarkozy's comment came after the UN Security Council issued a statement on Monday to allow France and other Chadian allies to help repel the rebel forces in Chad.

The statement called on member states to "provide support, in conformity with the United Nations Charter, as requested by the government of Chad".

Sarkozy said the over 1,000 troops already based in Chad have remained neutral in the fighting between Chadian government troops and rebel forces, except for last Friday's incident when troops opened fire to protect French civilians.

The president said France should stay away from Chad's internal crisis unless the country becomes "a victim of an aggression."

Heavy fighting broke out last Friday near the Chadian capital N'Djamena between government troops and armed rebels trying to oust Idriss Deby, causing grave concern around the world and dozens of civilian casualties.

Witnesses described the scenes as "bloody and chaotic" with bodies littering the streets and looting reported in many shops.

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, thousands of people are fleeing the city and crossing the border into the neighboring Cameroon, while casualties from the fighting in N'Djamena are believed to be high.