Chad president killed while fighting northern rebels

President Idriss Deby Itno (pic), who ruled Chad for over 30 years and became an important ally to Western nations in the fight against Islamic extremism in Africa, has been killed while battling against rebels in the north, according to the military. He was 68.

The announcement on Tuesday came hours after Deby had been declared the winner of an election that would have given him six more years in power.

The circumstances of Deby’s death remained murky, and his son Mahamat was quickly appointed to lead a transitional rule.

Deby, a northerner and Frenchtrained army officer, rose through the ranks of the armed forces.

In the 1980s, he was key in pushing pro-Libyan forces from Chad.

He then led the Sudanesesupported Patriotic Salvation Movement in a rebellion in 1990 to overthrow Chadian dictator Hissene Habre, who was later convicted of human rights abuses at an international tribunal in Senegal.

After assuming the office of the presidency in 1991, he consolidated a military regime, survived numerous rebellions, coup attempts and economic crises to become one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders.