Taylor due to step down as Liberian president

Liberian president Charles Taylor was due to step down today but in a final address to the nation he declared himself a “sacrificial lamb” and accused the US of arming the country’s rebels.

Taylor, sitting solemnly with folded hands, recorded the address before a Liberian flag at his home, for broadcast later on the eve of his promised resignation at 11.59am local time (12.59pm Irish time) today.