Excerpt - Rebels in Chad are advancing from the east of the country towards the capital, N'Djamena, after seizing a strategic central town, officials say. Armed forces have gone to intercept a column of 300 rebel vehicles, advancing along the main road to the capital. Security has been stepped up in N'Djamena, where most children have been sent home from school. The rebels want to drive the president from power. Two years ago they reached the capital before being repelled. ~ snip ~