Liberian rebels fought their way toward the east of Monrovia on Sunday after crossing over a key bridge though President Charles Taylor had agreed to honor a buffer zone further north, said reports reaching Lagos from the Liberian capital.
| You get the impression the guys with the brassieres aren't listening? |
Liberian General Benjamin Yeaten was quoted as saying that the rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) had crossed the bridge. Yeaten told reporters that he had given his commanders "a strong warning not to allow the rebels to reach Red Light Junction," a district at the intersection with the airport road.
| "I'm warning you guys..." |
According to the general, the rebels will be able to attack thecapital city from the east and the airport in Monrovia will be in danger if they pass through the junction.
| In technical terms, we call it "surrounded"... |
Earlier, US Ambassador John Blaney said President Taylor had agreed to make the Po River about 12 km north of the capital serveas a buffer zone between the government forces and rebels. The establishment of the buffer zone was "absolutely necessary"to end the renewed fighting which broke out a week ago which had left more than 1,000 people dead, thousands others wounded and tens of thousands displaced. According to the US ambassador, the buffer line would facilitate the deployment of international peacekeeping force and ceasefire monitors.
| Oh, stop it. You sound positively UN-ish... |
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