[allAfrica.com] [Take_allAfrica.com_with_you] Troops Bolster Defence The East African Standard (Nairobi) NEWS July 19, 2003 Posted to the web July 21, 2003 Nairobi Hardened young fighters loyal to Liberian President Charles Taylor reinforced roadblocks around Monrovia today as rebels advanced on the capital, raising fears of another bloody battle on its streets. Renewed fighting broke out on Thursday as West African countries struggled to deploy an initial peacekeeping force of up to 1,500 troops in a first step towards ending 14 years of almost non-stop war that has spread beyond Liberia's borders. The United States has said it might be willing to make a commitment once that force is in place, but no date has yet been set and the work of a regional team briefed with marking out the vague and disputed front line has been delayed by weeks.--Reuters   =============================================================================  Copyright © 2003 The East African Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================