Liberians break barricades to reunite war-divided city

DESPERATE for food, tens of thousands of civilians broke through barricades on Monrovia’s front-line bridges yesterday, reuniting Liberia’s war-divided capital after 10 weeks of rebel siege.

Carrying empty sacks, baskets and even wheelbarrows on their heads to tote back food, throngs poured across from the cut-off government side of the city to reach stockpiles of rice, oil and other vitally needed goods. US Marines and West African peacekeepers stood guard as the first ship carrying aid docked at the heavily shelled port.

Elated, women sang gospel songs as they surged across bridges littered with bullet casings and shrapnel to find food for their families.