Liberian defence minister suspended

The rebels are a thorn in the side of President Taylor

Liberian President Charles Taylor has suspended his defence minister indefinitely.

The executive order announcing the suspension said Daniel Chea had been suspended for "acts of insurbordinaton" but gave no further details.

Mr Chea had just recently returned from a visit to government troops in the northern Lofa County, along the border with Guinea, where Liberian rebels are fighting government troops.

Mr Chea has not been seen in public since Sunday when he was at the national stadium to support the Liberian team's 4-0 win in their African Cup of Nations match against Mauritius.

One military source said the former minister had been put under arrest.

Defence challenge

His deputy Sylvanus Williams has been named as acting defence minister.

Last year, Mr Chea was among several Liberian cabinet ministers sacked but later re-instated for not attending a church service.

Lofa County is the most volatile area in Liberia where rebels are believed to be in control. They are said to be holding Voinjama - the county town - and also have supply lines that run from neighbouring Guinea.

Government forces have been trying to cut of their supplies and in the past few days neighbouring Guinea has complained of two attacks across its border from the Liberian side.