UN refugee agency 'concerned' by reports of fresh fighting near Liberian capital

Following a few days of tense calm, the United Nations reported today that the rumble of battle on the outskirts of Monrovia has again sent war-weary Liberians fleeing toward the beleaguered centre of the capital, which is already overflowing with thousands of frightened people displaced by months of fighting between rebels and government forces.

A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told a press briefing in Geneva that the agency's staff in Monrovia had received reports of renewed fighting in Sastown, about 25 kilometres from the capital.

"This caused panic and provoked more frightened people to flee the conflict area towards the centre of Monrovia, which already has large numbers of displaced people," Rupert Colville said, adding that included in that number were thousands of Sierra Leonean refugees who had been living in four Monrovia-area camps before fighting broke out in early June.

UNHCR is worried that any further deterioration will affect the emergency evacuation of Sierra Leonean refugees, which began earlier this month and has so far assisted nearly 1,250 Sierra Leoneans to return home. "Our national staff in Monrovia continue to register refugees who wish to return," Mr. Colville said adding that limited assistance, particularly food, is being provided to refugees still in some of the camps.

The spokesman said the agency was also making efforts to address the issue of harassment raised by refugees in the camps. "Yesterday, our national staff met with government officials and agreed on the re-deployment of monitors in the camps," he said. Before the fighting in June, UNHCR and government authorities had a regular presence in the camps to monitor the well-being of refugees. Depending on the situation, UNHCR national staff will also make daily visits to the camps.