Battered Liberian capital reunites

Tens of thousands of hungry Liberians broke though barricades on Monrovia’s frontline bridges today in a desperate search for food, reuniting the capital after 10 weeks of rebel siege.

The bridges had divided the city, separating hundreds of thousands of people on the government side from the aid warehouses on the rebel side.

The rebels yesterday handed control of the bridges to West African peacekeepers, who had planned to open them later today.

The Nigerian-led force tried to control the chaos, but massive throngs rushed at them and overran their razor-wire barricades.

“Nobody opened the bridge. They just overpowered us,” Nigerian Private . Moses Peter said.

By early morning, excited crowds were pouring across from both sides.

“There is food here now. I am very happy,” said 40-year-old resident Hamadu Kenneh. “No one is complaining about food now.”

Much of the food being brought back was in sacks of the World Food Programme, whose warehouses and countless others were looted during the fighting.

President Charles Taylor, a former warlord blamed for 14 years of fighting, resigned under rebel and international pressure on Monday and left the country, opening the way for rebels’ withdrawal.