Advanced peacekeepers fly to Liberia
West African peacekeepers have flown to Liberia’s war-torn capital, Monrovia, amid a cacophony of explosions and gunfire, to assist in preliminary peacekeeping operations.
Rebel insurgents have fought a three-year campaign to oust President Charles Taylor from power.
Fighting ended the cease-fire earlier this month after Mr Taylor appeared to back track on his decision to stand down.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in recent weeks as the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and Model rebels fight government troops for supremacy in Monrovia and Buchanan, Liberia’s second city.
The civil war has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of Liberians; malnutrition and disease are rife.
African countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Benin, Senegal and Togo – have pledged to send a total of 3,250 troops, part of an eventual 5,000-strong force.
The Economic Community of West African States-backed peacekeepers flew in from Ghana to prepare the logistical groundwork ahead of the deployment of 1,500 Nigerian troops.
Nigerian Brigadier-General Festus Okonkwo will head the West African peacekeepers.
Separately, the US sent a draft resolution Wednesday to the UN’ Security Council calling for the deployment of a UN international force to bring stability to war-ravaged Liberia.
The draft resolution would sanction the peacekeeping force’s presence in Liberia, where it would sustain peace and assist in humanitarian operations.
The UN peacekeeping force could enter Liberia by the beginning of October, according to reports.
Although UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has urged the US to lead the peacekeeping force in the region, President Bush insists the US is ready to help the humanitarian effort once Mr Taylor steps down from office.
The US has sent three warships to Liberia, due to arrive Saturday, carrying at least 2,500 marines, to offer assistance to a west African peacekeeping force.
