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| - Foreign leaders paid homage Tuesday to Chad's late president Idriss Deby Itno, a key Western ally in the fight against jihadists in the Sahel region. Here are some reactions following Deby's shock death, which the army said came after he was wounded in fighting against rebels last weekend. The US State Department issued a statement offering condolences to the people of Chad and condemning the "recent violence and loss of life" in the country. "The United States stands with the people of Chad during this difficult time. We support a peaceful transition of power in accordance with the Chadian constitution," said the statement from State Department spokesman Ned Price. "Chad is losing a great soldier and a president who has worked tirelessly for the security of the country and the stability of the region for three decades," the office of French President Emmanuel Macron said in statement, hailing Deby as a "courageous friend" of France, Chad's former colonial ruler. The statement also emphasised France's insistence on the "stability and territorial integrity" of Chad as it faces a push by rebel forces toward its capital, N'Djamena. After a new transitional military council led by one of Deby's sons pledged to hold elections in 18 months, French Foreign Minister Le Drian warned that the delay should be "limited". President Muhammadu Buhari called Deby's death "sudden and tragic", saying he was "deeply shocked and devastated". "Deby had played a very active role in our regional joint collaboration in the military campaign against the Boko Haram terrorists," Buhari said in a statement. "The death of Deby will surely create a big vacuum in the efforts to jointly confront the Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State West Africa Province." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his condolences on Twitter, praising Deby's "bold leadership and... his historic decision to renew Chad's relationship with Israel." The head of the African Union Moussa Faki Mahamat, a former Chadian prime minister, said he was saddened by Deby's death, sending his condolences to his family. "It is with great dismay and deep emotion that I learned of the death today of President Idriss Deby Itno," said Faki, who was Chad's PM from 2003 to 2005. He called Deby a "great statesman and recognised military leader. I extend my sincere condolences to the Chadian people and his family." In neighbouring Mali, also in the throes of a transitional military rule, interim President Bah Ndaw voiced "deep sadness" over the news of Deby's "brutal death". He called it a "heavy loss" not only for Chad but for the Sahel region and beyond in Africa, where the two countries have been allies against the bourgeoning jihadist threat. President Mohamed Bazoum and the government in neighbouring Niger offered their condolences to the bereaved family people of Chad in an official statement. They hailed Deby's "personal engagement in the fight against terrorism and for stabilising the Sahel-Sahara region". The statement also reassured the Chadian people of Niger's "commitment to work together with them for the peace and stability of the G5 Sahel States and the States bordering Lake Chad". President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said he was dismayed to learn of Deby's death, sending his condolences to his family and the people of Chad. "I salute the memory of a great Pan-Africanist, a brother, who was committed with conviction and determination in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad basin and in the Sahel," he said in a statement. burs-jv/dl
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