The United States on Tuesday welcomed a truce to end four years of war in Liberia and form a transitional government without President Charles Taylor.
”We applaud the ceasefire that was signed today. We further applaud the goal of concluding an agreement within 30 days on an interim government that would not include the current president, Mr Taylor,” US State Department spokesperson Philip Reeker said.
The ceasefire was signed in Accra by leaders from two rebel groups, who are said to control 12 of Liberia’s 15 counties, and Defence Minister Daniel Chea.
The deal mediated by Liberia’s west African neighbours provides for comprehensive peace talks within 30 days on the establishment of a transition government from which Taylor will be excluded.
The truce marks the culmination of tortuous peace talks which have dragged on haltingly for two weeks.
”Obviously our hope and goal would be to see a government there based on democratic principles that, as I said, can provide a much better life for the people of Liberia,” Reeker said.
The truce leaves Taylor cut out of Liberia’s postwar rule and indicted for war crimes for his role in neighbouring Sierra Leone’s own civil war.
Reeker echoed a call by the European Union for Taylor to cooperate with the United Nations-backed tribunal.
”Well, as you know, as we discussed last week, we recognise the work of the special court,” he said.
”We have indicated that those responsible for atrocities in Sierra Leone must be held accountable, and that remains our position.” – Sapa-AFP