The defense ministry in Monrovia has accused the main rebel group in the country, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) of massing troops outside the capital Monrovia in preparation for an attack.

"The newly recruited men, mostly Sierra Leoneans and Guineans, have secured large quantities of arms and ammunition which are currently being transported by way of Bo Waterside in a bid to beef up the strength of the rebels," a defense ministry statement said on Sunday.

Bo Waterside is located about 90 km northwest of Monrovia near the border with Sierra Leone.

The ministry warned Lurd to halt the massing of troops, arms and ammunition, saying "any violation of and disregard to the ceasefire agreement could jeopardise the entire Liberian peace process".

Lurd, a new rebel group active in southern Liberia Movement for Democracy in Liberia (Model) and the government last week signed a ceasefire agreement to end four-and-a-half years of civil war, started when Lurd took up arms against the government of President Charles Taylor in 1998.

The allegation by the defense ministry follows claims by Lurd and Model that Liberian government troops had attacked the towns of Klay and Gbah, both about 35 km northwest of Monrovia.

Model has also accused the government of attacking its positions in the southeastern region, in violation of the ceasefire.

"We believe that recent allegations by Lurd rebels that government troops had violated the ceasefire agreement recently signed in Ghana was a smoke screen to gain international sympathy," the defense ministry said.

The government has also accused Guinean regular forces of shelling the border town of Ganta.

"The shelling which started on Saturday continued throughout Sunday with reports of casualties and massive destruction of properties," a ministry of information press statement said.

The statement quoting military sources from Ganta, about 220 km northeast of Monrovia, said tank fire and heavy mortar rounds, fired from across the border with Guinea, continued to terrify residents of Ganta, and civilians in adjoining towns and villages.

"The government of Liberia is filing a protest with the Guinean embassy in Monrovia and making a representation to Ecowas, African Union and United Nations authorities in what is clearly a provocation," the statement said.

It added that the Liberian government had no intention of responding to this provocation by engaging in war with Guinea, but called on Guinea to "desist from violating the territorial integrity of Liberia".

The claims have yet to be independently confirmed. - Sapa-AFP.