Liberian rebels advanced closer to the capital Monrovia this evening, sending weary civilians scurrying for refuge and heightening fears of a third assault on the city in two months.
The fighting undermined a shaky truce agreement which was designed to pave the way for the deployment of West African peacekeepers and possibly troops from the United States.
Defence Minister Daniel Chea told journalists the rebels had reached a key government command post at Combat Camp and were now headed towards the Po River, an important line of defence just 12 kms (8 miles) from the city limits.
"We are trying our best to push them, but there is fighting all over," Chea said. "This is not about fighting right now. It is all about maintaining the ceasefire."
A steady trickle of refugees headed towards Monrovia, wherehundreds of people were killed in two failed rebel attempts toseize the capital last month. Those who could afford it crammedinto taxis. Others trod a now familiar route to refuge.
"We do not want to be caught in crossfire like we werebefore," said Yassah Kluboh as he fled on foot. "We are goinginto town and wherever night catches us is where we will sleep."
Liberia was founded by freed American slaves as a haven ofliberty more than 150 years ago but has known little butviolence for the past 14 years as bitter rivals fight for power.
LURD and another rebel group, known as Model, are fightingto oust President Charles Taylor.
The United States is putting pressure on Taylor to leave office,blaming his forces for widespread human rights abuses in theWest African nation and for fostering chaos and rebellion inneighbours Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Guinea.