122 Libyan-Backed Troops Killed, Chad Regime Says

DJAMENA, Chad — The armed forces of Chad killed 122 pro-Libyan soldiers in fighting near the country’s border with Sudan, an official statement said Tuesday.

The soldiers, who died in four days of clashes that ended Monday, were members of the Libyan-backed Islamic Legion and included two leaders, identified as Haroun Gody and Mahamat Djaglo, the statement said. Gody was once a member of the Chadian government of President Hissen Habre.

Chad, which restored diplomatic relations with Libya in October after a long border conflict, said it also seized three prisoners, 15 armed vehicles and 137 weapons while losing eight of its own troops.

Government leaders in N’Djamena say that the Islamic Legion, estimated to have about 1,000 soldiers, consists of West African and Arab soldiers recruited by Libya to further its expansionist designs in countries bordering the Sahara.