Taylor pledges support for peace

Liberia will commit itself to preventing conflict and promoting peace with Sierra Leone and Guinea, the Liberian Information Ministry on Thursday reported President Charles Taylor as telling visiting Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister Ahmed Dumbuya. He also advocated the setting up of joint monitoring stations along the Liberia/Sierra Leone border to "forestall any situation that might cause problem" between the two countries, the Ministry reported. Dumbuya, whom Taylor received in Bong County, went to Liberia to brief its president on ongoing peace efforts, including a demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration programme in Sierra Leone. Taylor said he was "very interested" in the peace process, the statement said. Relations between Liberia and Sierra Leone have been strained in recent years due to links between Taylor and rebels in the neighbouring country. Liberia's relations with Guinea are also poor, with each government accusing the other of supporting its dissidents. Ministerial-level efforts to improve ties between the three countries have been underway since mid-year.