Fierce fighting erupts at Ivory Coast border

Monrovia (Liberia): An official says heavy fighting has broken out near Ivory Coast's border with Liberia.

The deputy director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission said he heard the sounds of explosions from the Ivory Coast side of the border. At least one mortar shell fell on the Liberian side.

A former Liberian fighter who was reached by telephone and who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter said he was the field commander for forces fighting in the border region to install Alassane Outtara as president. He said the fighting was in Toulepleu, a village near the border.

Reports have been emerging since the start of the latest crisis of Liberian mercenaries crossing into Ivory Coast to fight on both sides of the conflict.