The Chad has been troubled since independence from France in 1960 by rivalry between the Moslem herdsmen of the northern desert and grasslands, and the Christian blacks of the south. In the last month of fighting an estimated 5.000 were reported to have been massacred. In the capital N'Djamena, fighting now spreads between the partisans of Goukouni OUEDDEI and the supporters of Hissène HABRE. Both these men formerly fought together with the FROLINAT to free Chad of French domination. At present OUEDDEI is president of Chad and leader of the FAP (Forces Armées Populaires, formerly the 2nd Army of the FROLINAT) and HABRE the Defense Minister and also leader of the FAN (Forces Armées du Nord). The country is presently split into 4 regions controlled by a military group. The north is held by the FAP, the center east by the FAN, the east by the FAC (Front Action Commune, formerly 1st Army of the Frolinat) and in the south, the FAT (Forces Armées Tchadiennes). French authorities are planning to airlift the 500 Europeans out of the country as fighting has now claimed hundreds of killed.