Government officials in Liberia and rebels signed a peace accord Monday to end a three-year insurgency that devastated the country and left thousands dead. "The war is over," rebel leader declared. The accord calls for a two-year transition government meant to lead Liberia into elections - and out of 14 years of vicious warfare that left parts of virtually every city and town in this West African nation in ruins. Calm settled into Monrovia as shopkeepers opened for the first time in a month, though many residents and refugees who crowded the capital had little money with which to buy desperately needed food. Peace talks that started June 4 were quickly sidelined by fighting that overtook the capital after all sides violated a June 17 cease-fire accord. However, on August 14 rebels on Thursday lifted their siege of Monrovia, allowing vital food and aid to flow.