Opposition parties urge government to accept dialogue

Liberian opposition parties have called on the government to heed a recent call by the West African states economic community (ECOWAS) for an immediate ceasefire saying that Liberians preferred "ballots not bullets" as a way of attaining state power.

In a statement on Thursday, the Unity Party called on the government and rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) to put down their arms and engage in dialogue, PANA reported. The Liberia People's Party also issued a similar statement on Thursday.

A diplomatic source in the capital, Monrovia, told IRIN on Thursday that several political parties have in the last days issued separate statements in support of ECOWAS' call.

He said that there had been agitation for dialogue from different "quarters", including religious organisations. "But the government has maintained that dialogue with the rebels would put it at par with rebels," he said.

On Tuesday, the government rejected a call by ECOWAS for an immediate ceasefire saying this would also give the rebels an opportunity to re-group. It, however, expressed interest in a regional intervention force, as suggested by ECOWAS chairman, President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal last Friday.

"Calling for a ceasefire at a time when the Liberian government has already broken the back of a very large attack in Gbarnga, in Arthington and in Klay, will only give the terrorists the opportunity to regroup and attack Liberia," BBC quoted Liberian Information Minister Reginald Goodridge as saying.

According to the diplomatic source, the government's stand puts the situation in the country in a "rather volatile and precarious" condition. "It could lead to increased fighting," he said.