LIBERIA: MONROVIA: HORRIFIC SCENES AS FIGHTING FLARES UP AGAIN скачать в хорошем качестве

LIBERIA: MONROVIA: HORRIFIC SCENES AS FIGHTING FLARES UP AGAIN

(14 May 1996) English/Nat Fighting has flared again in the Liberian capital Monrovia after two days of relative calm in the city. Only a day after rival faction leaders shook hands - fighters loyal to Charles Taylor's N-P- F-L launched attacks around the Barclay training centre barracks where rival leader Roosevelt Johnson is holed up. But it appears that rival L-P-C and A-F-L forces beat Taylor's forces back. Fighting began in the early hours of Tuesday morning and continued throughout the day. Forces of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia - whose leader is the former Prime Minister Charles Taylor clashed with rival factions around the diplomatic district and tow main bridges in the city. Only two days after the N-P-F-L announced it was withdrawing its forces from the capital they launched an all-out attack on the rival Ulimo-J fighters led by Taylor's rival Roosevelt Johnson. The militias used heavy machine guns, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades in some of the heaviest exchanges since the upsurge of fighting five weeks ago. That was prompted when the six-member Council of State sacked Johnson from his position on the Council and ordered his arrest on murder charges. Since then Johnson has been hiding in the city's Barclay barracks, defended by members of his own Krahn ethnic group. The West African peace-keeping force ECOMOG has been unable to stem the fighting despite its large presence in the city. By mid-morning Taylor's forces had been beaten back to the area around the United States' embassy. The victorious forces of the L-P-C and A-F-L militias celebrated in the streets after their victory. An N-P-F-L casualty left in the road was beaten and abused in some horrific scenes. Though some fighters tried to restrain their comrades, others vented their anger and hate on the body of the severely wounded man, kicking and spearing him before mutilating his genitals. Two days ago the prospects for peace in Liberia seemed strong - now they look very fragile and make the chances of another ceasefire more remote. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Since it was announced that there should be a ceasefire by ECOMOG (?) ourselves have been observing a ceasefire. But since 3 o'clock last night the MOK-NPFL has been attacking our own positions at the barracks so we have had no alternative but to defend ourselves." SUPER CAPTION: General 'T', L-P-C The L-P-C commanders were exhilarated by their victory. SOUNDBITE: I wouldn't want to miss this time, running you know chasing all over the place making sure our men so they will not fall into enemy hands. SUPER CAPTION: Major General Chris Varley, L-P-C There are no indications of the number of people killed and wounded in the latest fighting. But the casualty toll seems set to rise further with no peaceful solution in sight and the international peace-keeping forces unable to persuade the factions to resolve their disputes without violence. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you... Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork