DATE=07/28/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=-305905

TITLE=LIBERIA/FIGHTING (S-UPDATE)

BYLINE=SARAH SIMPSON

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

///EDS: UPDATES CR 305898 WITH ATTACK ON BUCHANAN; REWRITES THROUGHOUT///

VOICED AT:

INTRO: While the Liberian capital, Monrovia, continued to be pounded by mortars Monday from both government and rebel positions, a different rebel group has launched a separate attack on Liberia's second-largest city of Buchanan. West African leaders who are meeting in nearby Ghana to discuss plans for the deployment of a regional peacekeeping force say it is unlikely that troops will arrive in Liberia this week. Sarah Simpson reports from the V-O-A West Africa bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: While rebel and government forces battled over Monrovia Monday, Liberia's second city, Buchanan, has also come under siege.

For the past 10 days, the capital has been under siege by rebels from a group known as Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, or LURD, for 10 days.

The second offensive is being staged by a smaller rebel group called the Movement for Democracy in Liberia, or MDL, which had until Monday adhered to a cease-fire agreement signed last June.

Buchanan is the only port of any size that remains in government hands. LURD rebels already control the main port in Monrovia.

Meanwhile, reports from a meeting of West African leaders say delegates at the talks could not give assurances that troops would be stationed on the ground before the end of the week. (Signed)

NEB/SS/MAR/MEM/FC