Nigeria, April 20 -- The President of Chad, Idriss Deby, has died, the country's military has announced.

Mr Deby, who was reported Monday to have won a sixth term, died while on the frontline during a battle against rebels who were advancing on the country's capital, Ndjamena, Al Jazeera reported Tuesday.

Mr Deby was 68 at the time of his passing.

He "has just breathed his last defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield" over the weekend, army spokesman General Azem Agouna said in a statement read out on state television.

He came to power in a rebellion in 1990 and was one of Africa's longest-ruling leaders, surviving numerous coup attempts and rebellions.

He has ruled his country for more than 30 years and was an important We...