Libyan hold in Chad assessed by Paris

The prospect of Libyan power thrusting deep into Africa aroused French concern as Paris appraised an announced plan to merge Libya and Chad. But there were doubts that the merger would become reality.

Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi and Chad President Goukhouni Woddei agreed to seek "complete unity" in a communique that said their joint frontier would be opened to free passage for citizens of the two countries.