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N'DJAMENA, June 16 (Reuters) - Chadian President Idriss Deby on Monday accused the European Union protection force (EUFOR) in eastern Chad of "closing its eyes" to the killing of civilians and refugees by advancing anti-government rebels.

Deby sharply criticised the European force, which has a United Nations mandate to protect nearly half a million civilian refugees in Chad, after rebels fighting to topple him said they had captured another town in an offensive in the east.

In a broadcast to the nation, the Chadian leader said his government had been happy to receive this EU military contingent when it deployed earlier this year.

"But we've been surprised to see that, in its first hostile test, this force has rather cooperated with the invaders, allowing humanitarian workers' vehicles to be stolen and their food and fuel stocks burned and closing its eyes before the systematic massacre of civilians and refugees," he said.

He added: "Yes, we have the right to ask ourselves about the effectiveness of such a force, of the usefulness of its presence in Chad".

Referring to fast-moving advances by rebel columns in the eastern Chadian bush in the last few days, Deby denounced what he called an "international plot" seeking to plunge his country back into civil war. (Reporting by Moumine Ngarmbassa; Writing by Pascal Fletcher)

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