France, Chad sign defence cooperation declaration of intent

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chadian counterpart Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno Chad stood together in Paris to witness representatives signing a France-Chad defence cooperation declaration of intent, as the two countries rebuild ties nearly two years after N'Djamena ordered French forces off its soil.

  Macron's office was at pains to say that Tuesday's meeting highlighted a relationship "of equals, with mutual respect". France's employers' federation Medef is expected to send a delegation to N'Djamena "in the coming months", the Elysee said. It added that security cooperation remained a priority and was restored at the beginning of the year, notably for military training, equipment supplies and intelligence sharing.