Bloody battle for Liberia's second city

DOZENS of civilians have been killed in fighting between rebels and President Charles Taylor's forces for control of Liberia's second city of Buchanan, residents said yesterday.

Rebels seized the strategic port city on Monday, tightening the noose around Taylor, a former warlord who is battling with another rebel faction for control of the capital Monrovia.

"There are bodies all over the place. Dozens of people have been killed," said one resident by telephone, who did not want to give his name. "The wounded are on the streets and there is no way to treat them."