Liberian leader claims attempted coup foiled

Liberia's president and newly indicted war crimes suspect, Charles Taylor, claimed yesterday that his government had foiled a coup attempt as rebel units allegedly advanced towards the Liberian capital.

Mr Taylor said the coup bid was launched on Wednesday by "certain officials" supported by unnamed foreign diplomats. He said he had "accepted the resignation" of Liberia's Vice-President, Moses Blah, "as a result" of the coup attempt.

Mr Blah is a longtime ally of Mr Taylor, although the Liberian media has reported growing tensions. Mr Taylor said: "As I'm talking to you, there's massive fighting going on." Villagers fled fighting yesterday with rebel troops six miles from Monrovia. Troops patrolled the city while soldiers on the outskirts stopped thousands seeking sanctuary.

Mr Taylor has been accused before of rallying support by inflating fighting with rebels. There was no sign of violence when the coup attempt allegedly took place. A UN war crimes court in Sierra Leone charged Mr Taylor, a former warlord, with crimes against humanity on Wednesday.