President Samuel Doe asked the legislature to call early elections after rebel forces moved to within 35 miles of the capital and took control of most of the country's major economic enterprises.
Later Monday, a rebel spokesman rejected the election offer out of hand and said the rebels would lay siege to the capital of Monrovia unless the government falls and Doe is either captured or forced into exile."There is no peaceful solution if Doe stays in power," said Tom Woewiyu, a rebel spokesman living in New Jersey. "If he doesn't leave, there is no doubt we will rush the city."
Woewiyu said he had received reports that the fighting had moved to the outskirts of the international airport, 25 miles from Monrovia. The report could not be confirmed. "We are going to try to get him (Doe) dead or alive," said Woewiyu.
Rebel troops clashed with government forces over the weekend at the West African country's main port of Buchanan and at the town of Kakata, 35 miles from Monrovia. The town controls a main road to the capital.
The rebels have seized most of the nation's economic enterprises, including the second-largest rubber plantation and largest iron ore mine.
Woewiyu said they were negotiating with the United States, the United Nations and Nigeria in an effort to persuade Doe to leave the country peacefully.
In Monrovia, civilian members of the Gio and Mano tribes that have largely supported the rebels sought protection from attacks by government troops. About 2,000 tribal members besieged the U.N. compound in Monrovia, demanding protection and safe conduct out of Liberia. Others camped on the grounds of the Moroccan Embassy.