An attack on Chad’s presidential palace left 18 assailants dead and six in custody, with one soldier killed and three wounded, state media reported Thursday.

An attack on Chad's presidency compound foiled by security forces on Wednesday was carried out by a disorganised band of intoxicated men wielding knives and machetes who were easily neutralised, the government spokesperson said.

Chad said it averted a “destabilization attempt” after security forces repelled two dozen assailants that briefly entered the presidency where the West African nation’s military leader had received China’s foreign minister.

At least 19 people have been killed in Chad where security forces said they had prevented an attempt by armed fighters to storm the presidential complex in the capital N’Djamena.

The attack comes at a delicate time for Chad, which recently scrapped a defence cooperation pact with longtime partner France.

Gunmen launched an attack on the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on Wednesday, sparking a battle that left 18 attackers and one security personnel member dead and several others injured,

Gunmen attempted to storm the presidential complex in Chad's capital N'Djamena on Wednesday, sparking a battle that left 18 attackers and one security personnel member dead, the government said.