War-ravaged capital cheers arrival of peacekeepers

LONG-AWAITED West African peacekeeping forces arrived in Liberia’s rebel-besieged, famished capital yesterday to deafening cheers from the city’s desperate people.

Travelling from their base at an airport 30 miles from Monrovia, more than a hundred Nigerian peacekeepers rode into the war-ruined city in white armoured personnel carriers, trucks and sports utility vehicles. The soldiers blew kisses and waved white handkerchiefs at thousands of Liberians crammed on the shoulders of roads, chanting, "We want peace, no more war."

Helicopters swooped in with the first seven US troops to support the West African peace force in Monrovia.

The Marines, in camouflage and armed with automatic weapons, flew in from a three-ship Navy group carrying 2,000 Marines and 2,500 sailors off Liberia to co-ordinate US logistical support for the West African soldiers.

Ghanaian Chief of Staff Colonel Theophilus Tawiah said the regional force, which now numbers 500, would have sufficient strength to start patrolling Monrovia on the government side. But peacekeepers would not immediately deploy in the rebel-held port area.

US President George W Bush said no larger American force will go ashore until Liberian President Charles Taylor leaves the country.

"We would like Taylor out," Mr Bush said during his vacation in Crawford, Texas.

Taylor was to address a joint session of Congress yesterday to officially declare his intention to resign and announce a successor. However, Taylor has repeatedly hedged on when he would take up an offer of asylum in Nigeria setting new conditions for his departure in recent days. His government has said he would leave only after enough foreign peacekeepers are on the ground, and if a war crimes indictment is dropped.

Nigerian officials said the Liberian leader had indicated he hoped to leave around August 16 or 17. But South African President Thabo Mbeki said Taylor assured him he would leave within 24 hours of handing over power Monday.

Rebels have told the West African force they are willing to hand over the port, put only to peacekeepers not Liberia's government.

The United Nations, European and African countries and Liberians themselves have pressed the US to take the lead on helping to restore peace in Liberia a nation founded by freed American slaves in the 19th century.

Mr Bush has stressed that West Africans and the UN must take the lead, and US involvement will be limited. The US secured UN authorisation of the multinational force last week, to be followed within months by a UN force.