UPDATE 3-INTERVIEW-Chad agrees to 2-month UN mission extension

* Chad agrees to UN proposal of two-month extension-UN

* UN council wants long-term "phased withdrawal" of force

* "Door open" for continuation of peacekeeping mission (Adds background, details)

By Daniel Magnowski

DAKAR, March 1 (Reuters) - Chad has accepted a U.N. proposal to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in the West African country until May 15, the U.N. Secretary General's special representative said on Monday.

That gives the 5,000-strong mission known as MINURCAT an extra two months after the force's mandate to secure aid for hundreds of thousands of refugees is due to expire. U.N. diplomats said they hoped to use that time to work out a plan for a longer term "phased withdrawal" of the force.

Chadian President Idriss Deby had said he wants MINURCAT to leave the country, while the U.N. says withdrawing it would endanger refugees and civilians and humanitarian efforts.

"We had a meeting (on Monday) with the president and later with the prime minister, and we have agreed that there will be an extension of two months ... until May 15," Victor Angelo told Reuters by telephone from Chad.

During the coming two months, MINURCAT and the government will jointly plan next steps, "with the understanding that there will be a serious reduction of military presence," Angelo said.