Chad’s president Idriss Deby has been killed on the battlefield in a fight against rebels, the country’s top military commander has said.

Mr Deby, 68, died the day after winning an election that earned him a sixth term in office.

He was visiting troops battling rebels in the country’s north, an army spokesman announced on national television and radio on Tuesday.

The exact cause of his death could not immediately be independently confirmed due to the remote location.

Mr Deby came to power in a rebellion in 1990 and was one of Africa’s longest ruling leaders.

His election victory meant a further six years in power but the 11 April vote was boycotted by opposition leaders.

It was not known why the president would have visited the area or participated in ongoing clashes with the rebels who opposed his rule.

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