MONROVIA, June 7: Thousands more fled into the centre of panic-stricken Monrovia on Saturday as fighting continued on the edge of the Liberian capital between government troops and rebel forces.

Defence Minister Daniel Chea said he was at the front line in the city’s northwestern Duala area, but declined to comment on the state of fighting there and would not confirm reports that President Charles Taylor had personally taken charge of a counter offensive.

But residents contacted by phone said heavy gunfire could still be heard in the outskirts of the city on Saturday afternoon.

The country’s main rebel group, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy , on Friday pushed to within five kilometres of the centre, then announced it had ordered its men to halt the offensive.—AFP