French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to late Chad President Idriss Deby at his funeral on Friday and said Paris would not let anybody threaten the stability and integrity of its former colony as it made a transition to democracy.

Deby, a close Western ally, was killed in a battle with rebels on Monday, raising worries that more turmoil and uncertainty will hamper the fight against Islamist militants across the Sahel region.

"France will not let anybody put into question or threaten today or tomorrow Chad's stability and integrity," Macron said during a speech at Deby's funeral.

The French president was seated for the ceremony next to Deby's son Mahamat Idriss Deby, who along with a military council has taken charge in N'Djamena and said it would restore civilian rule within 18 months.

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