Two die in attack on rebel leader

Internally displaced Liberians wait for a meal of corn, sugar and supplement mix, issued by the World Food Programme, at the Masonic Temple in Monrovia AT least two people were reported dead after gunmen opened fire near a motorcade carrying Liberia’s rebel leader into the capital Monrovia for the first time yesterday.

Witnesses reported other casualties in the conflict, which involved the firing of AK-47s and rocket-launchers There was no word of any injury to Sekou Conneh, leader of Liberia’s triumphant rebel movement. Conneh was being escorted to a meeting with new Liberian President Moses Blah.

Conneh, whose fighters helped topple warlord-president Charles Taylor, had left the rebel stronghold of Tubmanburg early yesterday, accompanied by hundreds of followers.

Conneh’s car sped away from the fighting, with the rebel leader inside, while other rebels pulled out automatic weapons and rocket launchers and opened fire.

It was not immediately clear what triggered the outburst. Witnesses said it was an exchange of fire between government forces and rebel fighters, and said it started when soldiers objected to rebels blocking a road for the motorcade.