Taylor disengages from Sierra Leone

Citing increasing hostility toward his administration, Liberia President Charles Taylor has said his government is disengaging from the Sierra Leonean peace process, according to news reports. Taylor was speaking on Friday at the first cabinet meeting of the year in Monrovia. While saying the decision was difficult to take, he added that it was necessary because he had to think of Liberia’s best interests. Liberia is under the threat of UN sanctions following a report by a UN panel investigating illicit arms and diamond trafficking in Sierra Leone. The report said Liberia and Taylor were involved, a charge the latter has denied. In light of the UN report, the United States has introduced a resolution in the UN Security Council which would impose sanctions on the Liberian government until it ends its financial, military and material backing for the RUF in Sierra Leone and forces in other countries in the area.