Chad’s government has maintained that the situation is stable in the capital N’Djamena after gunfire was heard near the presidential palace.
Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah said in a video recorded in the palace that there was a “minor incident” but “everything is calm”.
Sources close to the African country’s government said there had been clashes between security forces and “terrorists”.
French news agency AFP quoted Koulamallah as saying 18 attackers and a member of the security forces had been killed.
After the incident, tanks were seen in the area and all the roads leading to the palace were closed, the center said.
In the video, posted on Facebook, Koulamallah can be seen surrounded by members of the government forces.
“Nothing serious happened,” he said.
“We are here to defend our country at the price of our blood, calm down.
“This whole destabilization effort has been thwarted.”
He was then seen taking pictures with soldiers, and raising his fist.
Koulamallah was quoted by AFP as saying that the attack was launched by 24 soldiers, adding that six attackers were wounded.
Three other members of the government forces were also injured, he added.
This incident happened a few hours after visiting this French territory by the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who met with President Mahamat Déby and other senior officials.