- Title: LIBERIA: LIBERIAN REBELS ADVANCE TO ROAD JUNCTION NEAR MONROVIA
- Date: 17th July 2003
- Summary: (W6) COMBAT CAMP, NEAR FRONTLINE, 25 KM FROM MONROVIA, LIBERIA (JULY 17, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. WS: FIGHTERS GOING TO FRONTLINE. 0.03 2. TRACK: ARMED SOLDIERS WALKING TOWARDS FRONTLINE AS TRUCK CARRYING SOLDIERS DRIVES BY. 0.13 3. MV: AMERICAN MARINE TALKING TO CHIEF OF CHECKPOINT. 0.16 4. MV: LIBERIAN DEPUTY JOINT CHIEF OF STAFFS BEM YEADEM SHAKING HANDS WITH SOLDIER. 0.21 5. MV: SOLDIERS HOLDING RIFLES. 0.25 6. MV: PEOPLE FLEEING FIGHTING. 0.33 7. TRACK: HEAVILY ARMED TRUCK DRIVES BY. 0.38 8. SCU: SOLDIER HOLDING RPG. 0.40 9. WS: SOLDIERS STANDING AROUND. 0.43 10. CU: SOUNDBITE (English) JOINT CHIEF OF STAFF BEM YEADEM SAYING: "The rebels are in control of the town of Klay, 30 kilometres from Monrovia. The rebels broke the ceasefire, we still respect the International community" 0.53 11. MV: PICKUP FULL OF FIGHTERS. 1.00 12. MV: CHILDREN HOLDING AK-47'S. 1.06 13. GV: PEOPLE FLEEING CARRYING THEIR BELONGINGS. 1.11 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 1st August 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: COMBAT CAMP, NEAR FRONTLINE, 25 KM FROM MONROVIA, LIBERIA
- Country: Liberia
- Reuters ID: LVA4OCDRX5K014I9HWYV2RG1PO9J
- Story Text: Liberian rebels have advanced to a road junction used
as a springboard for previous attacks on the capital,
heightening fears of a third assault on the city in two
months.
Rebels and government forces clashed at a junction
north of Monrovia on Wednesday (July 16), eroding a shaky
truce, with fighting threatening to erupt once again. Hundreds
were killed in the coastal city during the previous month of
fighting.
Military sources said the junction at Klay, 35 km (22
miles) north of Monrovia, had fallen to the rebel Liberians
United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). However joint
chief of staff Bem Yeadem said the army is putting up a fight.
"The rebels are in control of the town of Klay, 30
kilometres from Monrovia. The rebels broke the ceasefire, we
still respect the International community" Bem Yadeam said.
Yadeam said it was unclear whether LURD planned to launch
a new assault on Monrovia. He believed they wanted to grab
land before ceasefire monitors arrive in the countryor or
needed to secure the root to bring in supplies from
neighbouring Sierra Leone.
Previous rebel attacks on Klay have been followed by swift
advances on the capital that brought the rebels almost to the
heart of the city, fuelling fears among residents that they
might face another round of carnage.
LURD, one of two rebel groups battling Liberian President
Charles Taylor, said on Wednesday (16 July) government forces
had attacked them first and they had no plans to launch a
third strike on the capital.
A West African team due to mark out a truce line before
peacekeepers are deployed is late and Liberian officials say
the team might not arrive before next week due to difficulties
in obtaining an aircraft.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan warned on Wednesday that
the situation would get more dangerous unless the United
States and West African nations quickened their plans to
deploy peacekeepers. Annan said the troops might not arrive
until August.
LURD has launched two attacks on the capital since the
start of June in their campaign to oust Taylor, who is under
pressure from the United States to step down.
U.S. President George W. Bush, under pressure to intervene
in a country founded by freed American slaves in the 19th
century, has said he is considering sending a limited number
of troops once Taylor takes up an offer of asylum in Nigeria.
Taylor has been indicted by a U.N.-backed international
court for war crimes in Sierra Leone. He has agreed to leave
Liberia only when peacekeepers are on the ground.
The Economic Community of West African States regional
body has promised to send up to 1,500 troops over the next few
weeks as the spearhead of a 5,000-strong force.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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