Chad President Idriss Deby Itno, 68, has been killed fighting rebels while visiting front-line soldiers, an army representative says.
His military career started in the officer training corps followed by a stint at the École de Guerre defense college in France, according to BBC Wednesday.
Deby, who governed the central African nation since rising to power in a coup that overthrew dictator Hissene Habre in 1990, secured a sixth consecutive term in office a day before he was killed.
Deby was one of Africa's longest standing leaders. He and his military were considered reliable allies of the West in a chaotic region troubled by jihadists. Following clashes Tuesday, Chad's army said it had killed 300 rebels and prevailed in the offensive.
Mahamat Idriss Deby, his 37-year-old, four-star general son, who is also commander of the Presidential Guard, has been appointed interim leader of an 18-month military transitional council.
Deby's attracted condolences from world powers who mourned the passing of a man seen as critical in the fight against extremist groups in the Sahel region.
"It's with great dismay and deep emotion that I learned of the death of President Idriss Deby Itno," Faki Mahamat, head of the African Union, said.
"France lost a brave friend," French President Emmanuel Macron's office said in a statement.
"We condemn the recent violence and loss of life in Chad," a White House representative said in a statement.
Before his death Deby was dealing with discontent over management of the country's oil wealth and crackdowns on political opponents.
