Rebels lift siege in Monrovia

Rebels lifted their two month siege of Liberia’s starving capital today, not long after scores of US marines were flown in by helicopters.

The rebels ceded control of the vital port and other territory to West African and US peacekeepers.

Signalling the hand over, US ambassador John Blaney and rebel chief of staff Abdulla Sheriff shook hands on the centre of the front-line New Bridge that had divided government- and rebel-sides in Monrovia.

Their goal of ousting President Charles Taylor met with three days earlier, rebels pulled out, many in pick-up trucks, taking their AK-47s, rocket-launchers and other arms with them.

They retreated north toward the Po River, taking stereos, sacks of aid grain and other loot.

West African peace troops crossed over, some heading in vehicles directly to the port.

The harbour, and its warehouses, are vital to getting food and other aid flowing again to countless starving residents and refugees on the cut-off government side.

A few US marines accompanied them, part of a growing American deployment.

Eager to cross, tens of thousands of civilians massed on both sides of the bridge, dancing and cheering as US fighter jets swooped back and forth.

West African forces held back hungry crowds on the government side. Civilians on the former rebel side, many eager to take across food to sell, rushed the bridge by the thousands, shouting, “We want peace!”

The West African peacekeepers, trying to curb the chaos, turned them back.

The opening of the front-lines came as scores of US Marines landed at Monrovia’s airport, 45 minutes outside the capital.

The developments followed Monday’s resignation and departure of Taylor, a former warlord blamed for 14 years of conflict in Liberia.

Rebel control of the port has left hundreds of thousands on the government-held side with little to eat but leaves.

Residents have visibly wasted away in recent days.