Around 60,000 people have fled their homes in the central Liberian town of Totota (80 km from Monrovia), following reports that rebels were mounting an assault and UN officials have asked for ECOMIL troops to patrol the area. The ECOMIL task force sent a patrol from Monrovia up the road to Totota, to try and restore confidence among the frightened civilians while two Harrier ground attack jets from the US naval task force flew in support. The clashes, which began on the 2nd, appeared to be a series of minor skirmishes rather than a set-piece battle.

Adam Sirleaf, the government's field artillery commander in Salala, noted that the clashes started at about 2.00 pm and that one of his commanders, "T-Boy", had returned to their lines for reinforcements.

Meanwhile, notorious ex-RUF [Revolutionary United Front] Colonel Sama Banya (aka "Z Man"), is reported to be training rebels in Liberia for use in Sierra Leone. Other former RUF commanders are also reportedly fighting for the different factions in Liberia. They have reportedly joined LURD for fear that if they remained in Sierra Leone, the Special Court might indict them. - Adam Geibel