Liberians pray for end to bloodshed as Taylor finally surrenders power

PRESIDENT Charles Taylor, the former warlord blamed for nearly 14 years of bloodshed in Liberia and indicted for war crimes, finally surrendered power to his deputy yesterday.

As soon as he stood down, in a carefully choreographed move, three US warships on Liberia's Atlantic coastline sailed into view.

Liberians rushed to the beaches, hopeful that US peacekeepers were arriving to help end the violence in the nation founded more than 150 years ago by freed American slaves. There are more than 2,000 marines on board the ships.