Liberian rebels call ceasefire with strings

Liberia’s biggest rebel group called yet another ceasefire today, but insisted they would maintain the siege of the capital Monrovia until peace troops arrive.

Their pledge fell short of US demands that they pull out of Monrovia, opening the city’s port for vital deliveries of food and other aid.

Rebel officials, in Ghana for off-and-on peace talks, have declared ceasefires throughout nearly two months of attacks on the capital.

Ceasefire announcements in recent weeks have done nothing to stop fighting on the ground.

In Accra, the Ghanaian capital, leaders of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy movement called a unilateral ceasefire, effective immediately, envoy George Dewey said.

“But as we’re talking, as we’re announcing an unconditional ceasefire, Taylor is shelling our areas,” Dewey said, pressing international mediators to win a ceasefire from President Charles Taylor’s forces as well.

Rebels would turn Monrovia’s port, now in insurgents’ hands, over to peacekeepers as soon as a long-promised multinational force arrives, Dewey said.

They would then withdraw to the Po River outside the city, he said.

US Ambassador John Blaney has asked rebels to pull out of the city immediately.

The port has been the scene of battles since rebels opened their latest attack on the capital July 19.

Meanwhile government forces launched a major counterattack today on the key port of Buchanan, battling to take back Liberia’s second city a day after it fell to another rebel army.

Military officials reported a “big fight’ at the south-eastern port city, Buchanan.

The attack on Buchanan marked a return to full-scale fighting by the country’s second, smaller rebel group, Movement for Democracy in Liberia.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, after Downing Street talks with Tony Blair today, promised he would send troops into Liberia “very soon.”

“I would say a few days,” he said.

Disputes over funding are partly to blame for the slow deployment of a West African peacekeeping force led by debt-strapped Nigeria.

US President George Bush has ordered troops to take up position off Liberia’s Atlantic coast in readiness for any peace mission – but he has not authorised any action.