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LIBERIA: Voinjama reportedly recaptured by government troops

ABIDJAN, 15 August (IRIN) - Liberia's government said on Thursday it had recaptured the northern town of Voinjama, which rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) had been using as a field headquarters. The town, which is the capital of Lofa County, is 270 km north of the capital, Monrovia.

Diplomatic sources said there was no immediate confirmation of the government's claim but confirmed that the government had driven back the rebels towards the Guinean and Sierra Leonean borders. They said government troops were also fighting the rebels in Bong County, which is east of Lofa and also borders on Guinea.

Liberian Minister of Defense Daniel Chea was quoted by news agencies as saying on Thursday that Voinjama was retaken after three days of heavy fighting. The German Deutsche Presse-Agentur quoted the minister as saying there had been "heavy casualties on both sides".

Voinjama had been captured by rebels and retaken by government three times before. Sources said it was unclear whether the rebels had been driven out of the town or had retreated on their own. President Charles Taylor, who has been visiting the frontlines, was said to have coordinated the recapture of Voinjama.

LURD has been fighting to oust Taylor's government since 1998.

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