President Taylor lifts state of emergency

Liberian President Charles Taylor on Saturday lifted a state of emergency that was imposed in February and restrictions on political party meetings. "We hereby lift the state of emergency with immediate effect. We also with immediate effect lift the ban on mass political party rallies," Taylor said in a national radio address. Taylor said there had been positive developments in the war against rebels in the north and lifting the emergency would "contribute immensely in the search for lasting peace and serve as a catalyst for dialogue leading to national peace and reconciliation and preparing the way for general elections next year." The Liberian army on Friday reported that it had pushed back the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels from the town of Bopolu in Gbarpolu County. The army had also intensified efforts to retake Zorzor, near the border with Guinea. Diplomats said the relaxation of the emergency and restrictions on political party activities, was intended to send a positive signal to opponents who refused to attend a national reconciliation conference in the capital, Monrovia, out of security fears. News agencies on Sunday quoted the LURD as saying they welcomed the move but rejected any talks with Taylor. Radio France International quoted rebel spokesman William Hanson as saying "it was a good move, but not enough". "What could really introduce a change would be Taylor's resignation and departure from the country. Our view is that the presence of Taylor in the country is not good. For the conflict to end, he has to resign from the presidency," the radio quoted Hanson as saying. Taylor announced the emergency on 8 February. At the time the LURD had threatened to overrun Monrovia. In April, he ordered a suspension of all mass political gatherings nationwide in line with the emergency. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, said Taylor took advantage of the emergency to curtail the rights of Liberians, ranging from the right to life to the right of freedom of expression.