Liberian President accepts exile in Nigeria
Liberian President Charles Taylor has accepted exile in Nigeria, according to reports.
A spokesman for the president said he would relinquish his grip on war-torn Liberia next week, once peacekeeping troops are deployed.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has stated peacekeeping troops will arrive by the start of next week to bring stability to the nation pulverised by a three-year fight to oust Mr Taylor from power. Mr Taylor is expected to leave three days later.
The civil war has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of Liberians; malnutrition and disease are rife.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in recent days as the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and Model rebels fight government troops for supremacy in the capital Monrovia and Buchanan, Liberia’s second city.
Yesterday, ECOWAS-backed peacekeepers flew in from Ghana to prepare the logistical groundwork ahead of the deployment of 1,500 Nigerian troops on Monday.
The US has sent three warships to Liberia, due to arrive Saturday, carrying at least 2,500 marines, to offer assistance to the west African peacekeeping force.
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.
