There have been reports of renewed fighting around Port Loko, northeast of Freetown, Reuters said on Friday, quoting state radio. It said troops of ECOMOG, the peacekeeping force that backs President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah's government, repelled rebel attacks on Wednesday and Thursday, inflicting heavy casualties.
Diplomats attributed the fighting in the last three days to attempts by both sides to gain territory before a ceasefire comes into effect on Monday, Reuters said. The government and the rebels are scheduled to start peace talks on Tuesday in Lome, Togo.
Other news reports said battles flared earlier this week in the eastern provincial towns of Kenema and Mano Junction, which is located in a diamond-mining region. An ECOMOG spokesman was quoted as saying the Nigerian-led force beat back both attacks.
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