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Idriss Deby came to power in 1990 after toppling Chadian President Hissene Habre - with the help of the French secret service.
A shrewd tactician, Mr Deby had been President Habre's chief-of-staff, leading a series of victories over rebel forces in the 1980s and earning a reputation for courage and military prowess.
After six years in office, he set up Chad's first multi-party political system and won elections that year.
But Mr Deby appeared to have little genuine domestic support. Critics say his single biggest failure was putting his clan before his country.
He is also thought to have health problems and has been known to fly to Paris for treatment to his liver.
He gained a fifth term in elections in April 2016.
MEDIA
Lake Chad is an important source of water for millions of people in the four countries surrounding
Imags.copyrightGelevision station, Tele-Tchad, is state-owned and its coverage favours the government.
Reporters Without Borders has on several occasions condemned the arrest of journalists in Chad, including the publisher of an privately-owned newspaper in October 2015

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