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.