Civilians run for cover in the city centre amidst heavy gunfire in the Liberian capital Monrovia Friday,. A rare one-day lull in bloodletting in the capital, Monrovia, was shattered by shelling that killed nine civilians. Photo by AP
West African leaders flew into bloodied Liberia on Friday to press embattled warlord-turned-president Charles Taylor to cede power as promised, as deadly new fighting erupted in Monrovia and peace forces geared for deployment in Taylor's rebel-besieged capital. Unexpectedly, Taylor left the city as West Africans readied for what was to have been a meeting with him later Friday at his mansion in Monrovia. The West African leaders were told that Taylor had travelled to the southeastern port of Buchanan, where Taylor's forces also have been battling rebels.