Rebels in Chad today claimed an EU force - including 400 Irish troops - due to begin deployment next week will not be neutral.
The rebels, whose assault on the capital N'Djamena 10 days ago further delayed deployment of the Eufor security mission, urged the EU not to send the force, arguing it would be dominated by the French.
France which already has over 1,000 troops in Chad under the terms of a separate agreement with the government of its former colony, will supply around 2,000 troops to the EU's 3,700-strong force.
"The alliance of the armed opposition no longer believes in the neutrality of a force essentially composed of French troops and whose operational direction is carried out by France," the rebels said in a statement.
Their position emerged after it was confirmed that Irish troops will go to Chad next week after the go-ahead for the mission was given yesterday.
Chad president Idriss Deby claims he has regained complete control of the country
Supplies for the mission are due to flown out to N'Djamena today by the French, The Irish Timesreports this morning. Ireland is due to start sending out advance units between February 21st and 25th, Comdt Dan Harvey told the newspaper.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea will meet Lt Gen Pat Nash, the Irish general with overall command of the mission, in Paris on Wednesday for a briefing.
The mission was delayed when rebels seeking to oust president Idriss Déby attacked N'Djamena the weekend before last. At least 160 people were killed, and thousands of civilians fled across the border to Cameroon.
The situation has since stabilised, with Mr Déby claiming he has regained complete control of the country. But reports at the weekend said the rebels were regrouping in the centre of the country.
The rebels claimed late yesterday that they had occupied an eastern town after clashes with the army and mercenaries from neighbouring Sudan.
A spokesman for the coalition of three rebel groups that made the failed assault on N'Djamena said the rebels had taken the town of Am Timan, some 600km east of the capital, after a brief battle.