West African troops and food aid eventually arrive to beleaguered Monrovia citizens

WEST African troops and desperately needed aid flowed toward Liberia’s beleaguered capital yesterday, as relief groups jumped at deployment of the first peacekeepers to hurry food and medical supplies to Monrovia.

The arrival of the first troops, although still unseen in the city, brought a dramatic easing of two week's of gunbattles in the city.

With guns stilled, three rebels at the fiercely contested New Bridge briefly crossed over from the insurgent-held port, shaking hands with nonplussed government fighters before returning to the other side.