HUNDREDS of Liberians chanting “We want peace” lined the streets of the rebel-encircled capital yesterday to cheer a team of military experts on a mission to prepare the way for a peace force.
Several hundred people thronged the streets around the US Embassy in Monrovia, where the team of West African experts under the command of General Festus Okonkwo, of Nigeria, held talks with senior US officials.
The 12 experts then inspected bombed-out buildings that could serve as command centres and barracks for the 1,500-strong regional force.Pushed by journalists as to when troops, promised weeks ago, would actually arrive, General Okonkwo would only say “as soon as possible”.
Three US warships, carrying some 2,000 Marines, are heading to the Liberian coast and are expected at the weekend.
Regional heads of state meeting in Accra said the force would arrive early next week and President Charles Taylor would go into exile three days later. But President Taylor’s spokesman said last night he would “not necessarily” abide by their ultimatum.
Advertisement
Washington has pledged financial and logistical support to enable the force to intervene, but is reluctant to place men on the ground.
Despite the uncertainty, Liberians were jubilant at the first evidence for days of outside interest. Tens of thousands are hiding in the city, deprived of necessities, and desperately frightened after 14 days of fighting. In New York, the United States introduced a draft Security Council resolution that would allow troops to use force to end the fighting.
Roy Kualback, an analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, said: “I am convinced that even a few hundred well trained paras or Marines could end all this nonsense overnight.”