Dissidents want talks for a new interim government

A spokesman for Liberian dissidents trying to overthrow the government in Monrovia, told IRIN on Wednesday they were willing to hold talks leading to the formation of an interim administration that would provide security for all the country's citizens. The talks however would only take place without President Charles Taylor, he added. "We would prefer talking to individuals in the Taylor [government] but not Taylor," Charles Bennie, spokesman for the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, said. Bennie said the talks would "have to concentrate" on the formation of an interim government that would ask the international community to help create conditions for the security of all Liberians irrespective of backgrounds, repatriate Liberian refugees, restore basic needed facilities like water and sanition, health; and hold free and fair elections. Bennie said that the veteran Liberian politician, Togba Nah-Tipoteh of the People's Party, had asked LURD to take part in proposed peace talks between the opposition and the government. But he said LURD officials were ready to talk to the government, however they would "not attend any talks in Monrovia". The BBC reported on Tuesday that LURD fighters who three weeks ago came to within 47 km north of Monrovia, the capital, had withdrawn to their traditional stronghold in Lofa County, in the north of the country. Bennie said "our forces remain in control of the areas of Bopolu, Voinjama, Kolahun, around the Sass Town area, Lofa Bridge."