Fragile cease-fire reached in Liberia
A tentative cease-fire was established late last night in war-ravaged Liberia.
But insurgents against Liberian President Charles Taylor’s government insisted that a lasting cease-fire would only come about when loyalists ended street battles and the president was ousted from power.
Rebels for Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (Lurd) said they would give up the gun when international peacekeeping forces arrive.
Rebels, faced with diplomatic pressure from the US, called a unilateral cease-fire and are reported to have pulled back positions in the capital, Monrovia.
But the Liberian leadership insists rebels must move out of Monrovia altogether.
Liberian President Charles Taylor also promised to resign his leadership when peacekeeping forces arrive.
According to Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, his troops are expected to arrive in Liberia within “a few days,” forming the bulk of a west African peacekeeping force which could grow to 3,600 troops.
Lurd insurgents have fought a three-year war to topple Charles Taylor.
