Liberian rebels agree to ceasefire

WEST AFRICAN mediators flew to war-torn Liberia yesterday as rebels besieging the capital said they were willing to respect a ceasefire — but only if President Charles Taylor’s forces stop attacking them.

The rebel push is the most intense yet in a three-year campaign to drive out Mr Taylor, who now controls little territory outside the capital Monrovia.

Fighting has raged for days on the city’s north-west outskirts despite an announcement at the weekend by the main Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) insurgents that they were suspending hostilities to pursue talks with the government and a newly emerged rebel faction.