Progress on Guinea refugees' plight

Refugees want to leave the dangerous border area

Both the Liberian Government and rebels in Sierra Leone have offered to co-operate with the United Nations in providing safe passage to around 250,000 refugees trapped by fighting in neighbouring Guinea.

During talks with the visiting UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, Liberian President Charles Taylor offered free access to his country to UN troops who would set up safe corridors along which the refugees could escape.

And a spokesman for the Sierra Leone rebels told the BBC that his movement would also allow the refugees to move out of Guinea through rebel-held territory.

More than 5,000 refugees have already been moved to safety

Djibril Massaquoi said the co-operation of the Guinean authorities would be essential, and said his movement would allow the refugees to return to any part of Sierra Leone.

Mr Lubbers is on the most delicate stage of a tour aimed at improving security for the refugees.

Guinea accuses Liberia of backing border attacks on its territory, while Liberia accuses Guinea of harbouring its rebels.

BBC West Africa correspondent Mark Doyle says that if Mr Taylor's suggestions are followed up they could make a dramatic contribution to solving the refugee crisis.

However, there are still logistical difficulties and the border area is still subject to conflict.

Three options

At least three different safe corridors for the refugees have been suggested. Two routes would go from Guinea into Sierra Leone through rebel-held territory and could be fraught with difficulties.

The third corridor, suggested by Mr Lubbers while in Guinea on the first leg of his visit, would enable aid to reach people trapped in the Parrot's Beak triangle bordering Liberia and Sierra Leone and allow them safe passage away from the fighting north to safer areas in Guinea.

THe UNHCR say more than 5,000 people have now been transported inland to safety from camps near fighting around Gueckedou.

Many of the people who sought refuge in Guinea from civil war in Sierra Leone now say they want to return to home, and some have been making their own way back.