While the western media has been focused on the battle for Monrovia, a fierce battle was under way for control of Liberia's second city, Buchanan (100 km to the east). MODEL rebels captured the port on July 28, but the government militias counter-attacked and heavy fighting was under way in the city's center on August 6th. Unable to leave their homes for fear of getting killed, civilians are going hungry. The Red Cross and other relief agencies are struggling to deal with a mounting casualty list, while 8,000 people were holed up in the courtyard of a convent.

The rebels have taken the port sections of the city, which lends credence to the Italian Catholic news agency MISNA's claim that a ship loaded with weapons for government forces has been waiting in the waters off Buchanan since the 6th, unable to dock. This is apparently in addition to the recently impounded weapons shipment found on a jet at Monrovia's Robertsfield Airport. This load was originally destined for Buchanan, but diverted when the port fell on July 28th. Liberian Defense Minister Daniel Chea has freely admitted that he wanted to deploy additional arms and ammunition in Buchanan-Tapeta corridor. - Adam Geibel