Annan deeply disturbed, calls for dialogue

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, deeply disturbed by the human suffering in the Liberian war, condemned on Wednesday the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) for attempting to take power by force, a statement issued in New York reported.

"The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed. He is also concerned about the implications this might have for the Mano River Union subregion. Recent fighting in Bong County and reports of rebel activity in the vicinity of the capital, Monrovia, have raised grave concerns about the well-being of a large number of civilians, many of whom are being forced to flee their homes," the statement said.

Annan also expressed concern over the safety of UN and NGO humanitarian workers, some of whom were evacuated from Gbarnga, 160 km north of the capital, Monrovia, on Thursday. He urged the international community to support relief agencies to respond to the needs of the displaced and vulnerable Liberians.

Annan called for dialogue between the warring parties, and encouraged the West African economic community (ECOWAS) to facilitate such a dialogue. He called on regional states not to allow their territories to be used to commit acts of aggression against neighbouring countries, the statement said.

The Secretary General condemns all attempts by the LURD and any armed factions to take power by force,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, against reports that government troops had driven back rebels from Gbarnga, an inter-agency mission was to travel to the area to conduct a needs assessment on Wednesday, humanitarian workers in Monrovia, told IRIN.

News reports said government troops had pushed back the LURD fighters from the outskirts of the capital, although tension remained high. Defence Minister Daniel Chea was quoted by Reuters as saying the towns of Klay and Arthington, 35 km and 25 km respectively from Monrovia, were in government hands.

The fighters had struck the two towns on Monday evening but extra troops were sent to hold them off, Reuters reported. Sounds of gunfire were also heard in Monrovia on Tuesday, but President Charles Taylor, in a radio address, urged residents to be calm.

The LURD, who have intensified their war against Taylor issued a statement on Wednesday saying they were moving onto Monrovia and were in control of the two towns, as well as Arthington and Nimba, Lofa, Gbapolu, Bomi and Cape Mount counties in northwestern Liberia.

The LURD have fought to topple Taylor since 1998. Recently human rights groups accused both the government troops and LURD fighters of perpetrating rights abuses in the country.