Talks between Chad's military-led government and armed rebel groups due to start Sunday in Qatar have been postponed, African diplomats and officials said.

The talks, originally intended for January, are a precursor for a larger forum on the country’s future following a military takeover last year. 

Sunday’s discussions were designed to incorporate rebel groups into dialogues ahead of the conference, which was delayed from February until May. 

African diplomats in Doha said Sunday's talks in Qatar had been delayed because preparations for the meeting had not been completed.