Peace talks boost as rebels give up claim

LIBERIA’S main rebel group yesterday gave up their claim to the vice-presidency in a new government, a condition which had threatened ongoing peace talks, according to a spokesman for the insurgents.

Kabineh Ja'neh, who is leading the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebel group at peace parleys in Ghana, said after pressure from mediators they had decided not to stake claim for the vice presidency.

"OK fine, we leave it," he said but stressed that the speaker's post should be technically opened to all players.

"The mediators are saying it will not be open to the warring factions but only to political parties," he said. "We want it to be opened to everybody who can then vie for the position."

The Liberian government, LURD and another rebel group also signed a pact allowing humanitarian workers and organisations free and secure access across the war-riven country.

The agreement, signed by the three sides said: "we shall immediately ensure free and unimpeded access to all territories under our control to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid."

It also pledged to "guarantee the security and safety of all members and equipment of international and non-governmental organisations operating in territory under our control."

Jacques Klein, the top UN official for Liberia, said the pact was a "test of the sincerity" of the various players in the conflict.

"It is to take effect by midnight Tuesday to give them time to send the message down to the ground."

The agreement came amid a deadlock on the composition of a future government in the war-torn country, four-fifths of which is currently held by rebels.

On Saturday, the World Food Programme (WFP) began handing out cornmeal in Monrovia, which has been besieged by rebels for more than two months leaving some 450,000 people living on the edge.

A total of 40 tonnes of cornmeal was due to be handed out on the first day but aid officials could not confirm if the entire amount was doled out.

However, yesterday, senior humanitarian officials admitted there were gaps in the process.

Dominique Liengme, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) mission in Liberia, said: "it is true that you need a minimum of security when you start distributing food to a hungry city after a long time."

She said security was essential to ensure not only "that the foodstocks are not looted but also to see that the distribution is carried out in an orderly manner."

The ICRC has helped the World Food Programme with trucks to distribute rations as several of the UN food agency's trucks were looted before the main rebel group on Thursday handed over Monrovia's port to peacekeepers.

The port is a gateway for food and humanitarian supplies to the war-ravaged coastal capital which was besieged for more than two months by rebels, who had held the crucial northern zone which includes the deep water harbour since July 19.

Meanwhile, the top UN official for Liberia Jacques Klein, said the 900-odd Nigerian peacekeepers on the ground were woefully inadequate not only to provide security but to see that food reached those who needed it. Aid agencies "need security to ensure a smooth offloading process."