Fighting rages in Liberian capital

Most foreigners have fled Monrovia

Fierce fighting has engulfed the Liberian capital Monrovia after the collapse of a ceasefire, with a compound belonging to the US embassy in the heart of the city coming under fire.

The BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh says at least three mortars or rockets detonated among tens of thousands of terrified people who had sought refuge in the residential compound.

US diplomats were quoted as saying as saying at least three people had died - but no Americans were among the casualties.

Our correspondent said that he had seen at least eight seriously wounded people.

The only sound Mr Taylor understands is the sound of AK-47 and that is what we are playing for him

Rebel spokesman

Rebels known as Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) claimed they went on the offensive after being repeatedly attacked by government forces.

The rebels crossed a key bridge to the north of the capital on Monday night, and fighting has been raging in the strategic port area on the outskirts of the capital.

Hundreds of people are reported have been injured and many killed in the bombardment.

Mr Taylor - a former warlord elected president in 1997 - has vowed to fight on to the end in a radio broadcast, and dismissed rumours that he had fled.

Deliberate?

Residents fear a repeat of the brutal street fighting seen in the city during the 1990s civil war after a ceasefire agreed last week was effectively ended.

On Tuesday, the rebels announced that they had pulled out of peace talks after President Taylor said that he would not step down until next January at the earliest.

Lurd, which controls some two-thirds of the country, has said it will not stop until they take full control of Monrovia.

"If Mr Taylor wants peace, we will give him peace. But the only sound Mr Taylor understands is the sound of AK-47 and that is what we are playing for him," Lurd spokesman Mohammed Kamara told the BBC.

It is not clear whether the US compound - situated just seven kilometres from the port - was specifically targeted.

Aid workers' diary

Just hours before the attack, the embassy issued a statement condemning the rebels for violating the ceasefire, and urging them to abide by international accords if they wished to retain any "credibility".

Earlier on Tuesday, terrified residents fled the outskirts of the city, as the rebels fought their way to the port area.

"Shooting is going on around Freeport now... the shooting is very serious," said one of the refugees, Doris.

Aid agencies have made radio appeals for more blood at Monrovia's hospital.

Tom Quinn, a nurse with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), told BBC News Online that there is a cholera epidemic in Monrovia but he and his colleagues are unable to reach the cholera unit, where 111 people are staying, because of the fighting.

'Torn to shreds'

In his radio address, President Taylor said that "my life is no more important than yours."

CHARLES TAYLOR

Indicted on war crimes charges

Under UN sanctions

Former warlord

Won 1997 elections

Profile: Charles Taylor

"I am here with the men and women in arms, encouraging them to fight on."

The BBC's West Africa correspondent, Paul Welsh, says that Mr Taylor has "nowhere to run" after an international arrest warrant was issued by the United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

He is accused of backing Revolutionary United Front rebels during the brutal, decade-long war which ended last year.

Deputy Defence Minister Austin Clark said residents fleeing the fighting were hit by shells about five kilometres (three miles) from the centre.

"People were torn to pieces," he said.

"We will continue to run and run - no end to our running," said a woman, fleeing from the city's outskirts.

Earlier this month, at least 300 people died when rebels reached within five kilometres of the city centre before they were repelled.