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| - The UN secretary-general said Monday he "regrets the use of violence" in Chad and called for political dialogue following a deadly gun battle as the army attempted to arrest an opposition presidential candidate. Antonio Guterres "urges national authorities to conduct a prompt and rigorous investigation into the incident and to hold those responsible accountable," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily press briefing. At least two people were killed and five wounded after a gun battle erupted Sunday when security forces tried to arrest opposition figure and presidential candidate Yaya Dillo Djerou at his home in the capital N'Djamena. The government reported the tally, adding that three of the injured were soldiers. However Yaya Dillo indicated on social media that the toll was higher, stating that his mother and several relatives had been killed. "The secretary-general regrets the use of violence and the subsequent loss of life reported at the residence of the presidential candidate Yaya Dillo," Dujarric said. "He urges the Chadian authorities to favour political dialogue ahead of the forthcoming elections and to continue efforts to foster an inclusive political process." On Monday Chad's main opposition figure, Saleh Kebzabo, withdrew from the April 11 election, accusing veteran leader Idriss Deby Itno, who is favored to win a sixth term, of using force to intimidate rivals. Several armored vehicles, as well as gendarmes and members of the elite presidential guard, were still deployed on the roads leading to Yaya Dillo's home on Monday. And mobile internet, almost impossible to access on Sunday, was still severely limited. prh/bfm/bgs
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