Rebels accused of breaking peace deal

THE Liberian government accused rebels yesterday of mounting a fresh offensive and US helicopters prepared for a mission outside the capital Monrovia to help peacekeepers move into rebel areas.

A peace deal signed last week officially ended Liberia's latest civil war but rebel and government forces have skirmished outside Monrovia and security remains a serious problem for aid workers helping hordes of displaced people.

Thousands of civilians fled toward Monrovia on Saturday, reporting fresh gun and mortar fire on the road toward the rebel-held second city of Buchanan.