New rebel group active in Liberia

Charles Taylor: Denied rebels had seized any land

A previously unheard of rebel group has claimed responsibility for attacks in northern Liberia.

On Thursday, a man who claimed to be a leader of a group called Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, told the BBC his forces had taken control of eight areas in the north of the country, including the border town of Voinjama.

The mere presence of armed men coming out of Guinea shows a threat to its own security

Charles Taylor

Liberian President Charles Taylor has urged his Guinean counterpart, Lansana Conte, to help him in tackling rebels who he says have attacked towns in northern Liberia from bases in neighbouring Guinea.

The rebels' identity is unclear, though they are reported to be fighters loyal to two former Liberian civil war faction leaders, Alhaji Kromah and Roosevelt Johnson.

Mr Taylor denied the rebels' claims to have taken control of territory.

But he admitted that Liberian security forces "had lost a few individuals" in the course of the fighting.

He said Mr Conte ought to be concerned that about rebels apparently operating out of Guinea.

Lansana Conte: Accused of harbouring rebels

"Even if he assumes that he did not know or acquiesce, people of Liberia have lost their lives," he said.

"The mere presence of armed men coming out of Guinea shows a threat to its own security."

The Liberian Government has recently rushed additional troops to the border area, and is mobilising able-bodied men.

Alhaji Kromah and Roosevelt Johnson both fought against Mr Taylor during the civil war, which ended in 1997 with Mr Taylor's election as president.

At the beginning of this year, Mr Taylor invited Mr Kromah and another rival leader, George Boley, to return from exile - but made no reference to Mr Johnson.