Rebels close in on Monrovia
2003-07-24 19:56
Monrovia - Thousands of terrified civilians streamed out of the Liberian capital Monrovia on Thursday in search of safety, food and water as fighting for control of three key bridges continued.
Food shortages in the city are growing more acute, drinking water is scarce and an aid organisation has warned that "one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in the region" is impending.
The fighting between government troops and rebels is concentrated on three strategic bridges - Stockton Creek Bridge linking the rebel-held port with the airport, and Johnson and Old bridges leading to the city centre.
"We're defending our positions on the bridges," Defence Minister Daniel Chea told AFP. "There's a very thin line between our forces and theirs."
Rebels of Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) succeeded in crossing Stockton Creek Bridge on Wednesday evening and penetrated 800m into loyalist lines, according to General Roland Duo, commander of the government troops.
He said they captured an artillery position and withdrew back across the river.
Stray rounds
The capture of the Stockton Creek Bridge on Somalia Drive ringing the capital to the north would enable the rebels of Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) to link up with comrades who seized the city's Atlantic seaport on Saturday.
Large numbers of troops and militiamen loyal to President Charles Taylor could be seen on Somalia Drive, many tense and talking animatedly as pickup trucks loaded with fighters roared off towards the front, 2km to the west. Stray rounds whistled in the distance.
Residential areas along the road were almost deserted, local people having fled in large numbers as fighting drew closer on Wednesday.
Thousands of frightened civilians could be seen on Somalia Drive, loaded with bundles of belongings and trudging towards the airport but with no real destination in mind, seeking to put space between themselves and the fighting.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed, and some 200 000 people are thought to have been displaced in Monrovia, one-fifth of the population. Some have reportedly been robbed by government forces.
Food, water running low
Thousands of people have crowded into the Samuel Doe stadium, between the airport and the city centre, where teams from Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF - Doctors without Borders) are distributing drinking water.
"Stocks of food and water are running low, malnutrition is widespread and tens of thousands of people do not have access to drinkable water," said Marc Destanne de Bernis, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator.
In the east of the capital, where some businesses are still open, the few sacks of rice on sale are selling for $50 each, compared with $20 a week ago.
Aid organisations still present in Monrovia are cut off from stocks of food in the port, now under rebel control.
Humanitarian tragedy
"If the fighting does not stop immediately, we shall see one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in the region," Destanne de Bernis said.
West African leaders on Wednesday said they would send 1 300 Nigerian troops "urgently", but the date of the deployment will not be set until next week.
"In view of the gravity of the situation in Liberia, we have decided to deploy two Nigerian battalions urgently to this country," said Mohamed ibn Chambas, head of the regional Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).
Ecowas has planned eventually to deploy 3 000 troops in Liberia, but Chambas said on Tuesday that at least 5 000 would be required.
The United States has pledged to contribute to the force but has yet to make a specific commitment, sparking growing anger on the part of ordinary Liberians, many of whom are descendants of freed American slaves who founded the west African country in the 19th century.