IDPs panic as fighting nears capital

Fighting between Liberian government troops and rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) group was reported on Tuesday at Kley junction, 35 km from the capital, Monrovia, as the rebels moved closer to the capital. The sound of gunfire, which started at midday, caused panic among thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in several nearby camps including Ricks, Jah Tondo and Water-in-the-Desert. Residents of Monrovia were also worried and the main markets of Duala and Waterside were closed down. Cellular communication was interrupted briefly. Humanitarian sources said their staff were stopped by loyalist forces from driving out of the capital. Defence Minister Daniel Chea was quoted by Reuters as confirming the attack on Kley junction, which is the closest the rebels have come to Monrovia in recent weeks. Last week, fighting escalated in central Liberia as government forces attempted to retake Gbarnga, provincial capital of Bong County, from the rebels. Large numbers of government troops headed towards Gbarnga, 150 km north of Monrovia, on Saturday. Residents of the town and surrounding areas had fled earlier to Monrovia and Totota, and also to Ganta, 55 km north of Gbarnga on the Guinean border, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. Displaced people continued to arrive in Totota, 50 km southeast of Gbarnga, where an estimated 42,000 IDPs were being assisted. The IDPs, most of whom were from upper Bong and neighbouring Lofa County were being accomodated mainly in four camps. "These camps are overwhelmed by the new influxes and aid agencies are constructing new reception centres in a bid to accommodate the new arrivals. As of 18 March, 6,480 persons have been registered in camps," OCHA said in a situation report. LURD has been fighting since 1999 to topple President Charles Taylor.