Peacekeepers in Monrovia; Taylor Set to Go

apnews.myway.com ^ | Aug 7th, 2003 | By ALEXANDRA ZAVIS

[Gabrielle Reilly]

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) - West African peacekeeping forces drove into Liberia's rebel-besieged, famished capital on Thursday to deafening cheers from the city's people.

The triumphant arrival came as President Charles Taylor announced his successor - a step toward his much-anticipated resignation and toward ending two months of bloody warfare in Monrovia that has killed at least 1,000 people.

In a letter to Congress, Taylor said he would hand power to his vice president, Moses Blah. Lawmakers approved the decision, paving the way for Taylor's stepping down Monday, as promised.

Blah said Taylor called him Thursday morning to tell him the news.

[Gabrielle Reilly]

Ping.

[BOBTHENAILER]

West African leaders have promised an eventual 3,250-strong peace force in Liberia. Nearly 500 Nigerian soldiers with five armored vehicles have arrived at the airport outside Monrovia.

This is as it should be.