MONROVIA, Liberia, July 27 (UPI) -- The chief of the rebels attacking the Liberian capital rejected the call of the U.S. ambassador to withdraw as heavy fighting raged on Sunday.
Rebels found their way around a heavily defended bridge and were fighting their way toward the residence of Liberian President Charles Taylor and the main airport, the BBC reported.
Nigerian peacekeepers are scheduled to enter the city later in the week, reinforced by the presence of U.S. troops aboard ships nearby.
But the rebels said they intend to keep fighting until the peacekeepers arrive and will deal with them directly instead of Taylor.
Taylor has repeated his promise to leave, but also not until the peacekeepers arrive. Water has become scarce in the capital where as many as 200,000 people remain, frequently the victims of mortar fire.
Rebel attacks have also been renewed against the port of Buchanan, packed with refugees from Monrovia.
