Troops to Sierra Leone border

The Liberian government said on Wednesday it planned to send troops to "reinforce" the border with Sierra Leone following "threats" by the West African ECOMOG intervention force that it would strike at any route used to deliver weapons to rebels operating in Sierra Leone. Independent 'Star Radio' said the announcement was made by the defence minister, Daniel Chea, following charges last week by ECOMOG commander Major-General Felix Mujakperuo that the rebels were receiving arms from Burkina Faso via Liberia. Chea said the allegations were "unacceptable and irresponsible" and that Mujakperuo should apologise. "Minister Chea restated that Liberians fighting in Sierra Leone are on their own," the radio broadcast said. "He said they have no support from the Liberian government," and that Liberians fighting in Sierra Leone should be demobilised and sent home.