Liberian civilians rush Monrovia

Thousands of panicked civilians toting hastily gathered possessions streamed towards Liberia's capital yesterday, rushing from artillery explosions and gunfire that West African peacekeepers said came from the Government's own militias.

Even as calm has spread in Monrovia, fighting and banditry has continued in the countryside despite a peace deal between the Government and rebels.

Many in the exodus filling the road leading from Buchanan, a southern rebel-held port city, pleaded for peacekeepers to leave bases in the capital, Monrovia, and deploy throughout the interior.