Liberian joy as peacekeepers move into Monrovia

HUNDREDS of thousands of Liberians cheered West African peacekeepers as they rumbled through the pockmarked capital yesterday, in an explosion of joy on streets that just last week formed a deadly frontline.

People lay down in front of the peacekeepers’ armoured personnel carriers, waved white flags and reached out to shake hands or even brush the boots of foreign soldiers many consider saviours after two weeks of bitter fighting.

Some people threw confetti made from torn-up leaves over the peacekeepers as they made their first trip through Monrovia since arriving in Liberia on Monday.