LIBREVILLE, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - Fighting broke out between rebel and government forces in eastern Chad on Tuesday, nearly two months after a failed insurgent bid to oust President Idriss Deby Itno, rebel officials told AFP.

The clashes occurred in the Ade region bordering Sudan, said Ali Gadaye, spokesman for the main rebel group, the National Alliance.

Another rebel official said army forces had instigated the fighting. 'We counter-attacked and are now in control of Ade,' he said by satellite phone from the region.

An alliance of three rebel groups attacked Ndjamena over the weekend of February 2-3. They were driven out by Deby's troops with indirect French military support.