N'DJAMENA 12 Aug (ANA) - Chadian President Idriss Deby has been named a field marshal by parliament.

 

The honour was given to him during Tuesday's celebration of the country's 60th anniversary of independence from France.

 

It is the highest military rank in the country.

 

The parliamentary speaker explained it was in recognition of him leading an offensive against jihadists in April.

 

The country has been facing attacks from Islamist militants like its neighbours across the Sahel region.

 

“You are an icon and a symbol for Chad,” the speaker of the assembly, Haroun Kabadi, was quoted as saying during the ceremony.

 

The president dedicated the honour “to all my brothers in arms”.

 

“The threat of terrorism is still there, and it is ruthless... The fight against terrorism is a vital imperative and will remain at the core of our concerns," he said.(ANA)

FA/ANA/12 August 2020--------