U.S. Shipping Arms to Help Chad in Battle With Libya

The United States has sent the government of Chad an emergency shipment of arms and ammunition, and President Reagan has authorized an additional $15 million in weapons to help the African nation fight off Libyan attacks, the State Department said Thursday.

The urgently required arms will be taken from Department of Defense stocks and will include vehicles, transport aircraft, small arms, ammunition and medical supplies, State Department officials said.

In addition to the $5 million in current military assistance, Reagan authorized another $15 million under a provision of the Foreign Assistance Act that permits him to supply extra aid in the case of “an unforeseen emergency” without the specific approval of Congress.

Coordinating With France

The first shipment of U.S. emergency aid was flown to Chad on Dec. 4, according to the State Department. It was coordinated with the government of France, which has been the chief supplier of military aid to the former French colony in north-central Africa.

The second shipment is expected to be airlifted into Chad soon.

Chadian government forces are fighting Libyan troops in the northern part of the country, and the Chadians also are struggling against remnants of a rebel group that had been backed by the Libyans.

In 1983, Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi claimed the northern part of Chad as Libyan territory, and his forces invaded the northern 40% of the country. Libyan forces continue to occupy this area.