Military

DATE=2/14/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LIBERIA / REBELS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-299642

BYLINE=LUIS RAMIREZ

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Liberian officials say government forces have retaken control of a key coastal town, following an attack by rebels this week. V-O-A's Luis Ramirez reports from our West Africa bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: Liberian Defense Minister Daniel Chea said loyalist forces pushed the rebels out of the town of Robertsport, northwest of the capital, Monrovia, on Thursday.

Rebels with the group known as Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, LURD, attacked the town on Wednesday, prompting scores of residents to leave on foot and head for the capital.

Those arriving in Monrovia Friday said some government soldiers left their posts, and fled the town, as the rebels approached. Witnesses said the soldiers complained they did not have adequate weapons to defend themselves.

The government of Liberian President Charles Taylor is under U-N sanctions over its support of rebels in neighboring Sierra Leone. The sanctions include a weapons embargo, which the Liberian government claims has resulted in a shortage of weapons for its soldiers.

Despite the U-N sanctions, Western diplomats say Mr. Taylor has been buying weapons illegally through third countries, using proceeds from the sale of timber and other natural resources.

Rebels last week came within a few kilometers of Monrovia, only to be driven back by loyalist forces.

President Taylor, who came to power in 1997 after leading a bloody seven-year civil war, is due to run for re-election later this year.

The insurgents say they have stepped up their attacks because they do not believe the elections will be free and fair. (Signed)

NEB/LR/KL/TW/FC