Noose Tightens Around Monrovia as Second City Falls to Rebels.

(From AllAfrica.com - AAGM)

Byline: Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

As the bloody and bitter 10-day fight continued Monday, for control of the Liberian capital Monrovia, rebel factions were reported to have made advances in other parts of the country, spreading the civil war in this already embattled country.

Clashes continued in Monrovia on Monday between government forces and rebels from the armed group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd), which is attempting to overthrow President Charles Taylor.

Meanwhile an all-out assault by a second rebel militia, known as the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (Model), opened a new front against Taylor's beleaguered forces in Liberia's strategic southeastern second town, Buchanan, 100km (60 miles) south of the capital and the only remaining port still under government control.

Late Monday, rebels claimed to have captured Buchanan. But Liberian Defence Minister, Daniel Chea, who rushed overnight to the eastern front, told the BBC that neither government troops nor the rebels were in control of the city.

The offensive by Model fighters was announced by Taylor's most senior general, Benjamin Yeaten, who confirmed that they had entered the city, saying; "We received attack in Buchanan. There is fighting going on there now."

In recent days, thousands of terrified Liberians have flooded into Buchanan, desperate to escape the shelling, mortars and indiscriminate machine gun fire and grenade blasts that have rocked Monrovia. On Monday, many of the refugees were again on the move, heading back to an uncertain future in the capital.

Model is a smaller fighting force than Lurd, but is reputed to be better disciplined than the main rebel faction. Model is a…