MONROVIA, Liberia -- Liberian soldiers have regained control of all the major towns seized by rebels in fighting that drove dozens of foreign workers out of the country, government officials said Saturday.

Liberian forces regained control of Foya, the last major town held by the anti-government insurgents who crossed over from Guinea earlier this week, a defense official said. Fighting continued Saturday in the surrounding areas of the country's northern Lofa County, the official said on condition of anonymity.No journalists have reached northern Liberia, and the government account could not be confirmed.

Meanwhile, President Charles Taylor took a rare drive through Monrovia, the capital, to reassure the population that he remains in control. The warlord-turned-president waved at crowds that lined the streets Saturday as his heavily-armed convoy moved through the city.

The previous night, at least seven relief workers kidnapped by the rebels Wednesday were freed unharmed, aid agencies said.

The insurgents made no demands before freeing their hostages and appeared to want to release them as soon as they could, said Alex Parisel, director of the Belgian branch of Doctors Without Borders.

Two of the ex-hostages, an Italian and a Norwegian, work for Doctors Without Borders. The other former captives were four British aid workers and at least one Liberian.

The workers were captured shortly after the rebels attacked Kolahun, about 145 miles north of Monrovia, the Liberian government said. The rebels later turned their attention on neighboring towns.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.