Opposition to unite for elections

Liberian opposition parties are proposing to unite and field a single candidate against the incumbent, Charles Taylor, in presidential elections in 2003, news organisations reported on Tuesday.

"We want to become one single party ... and elect a new leader," the BBC quoted Chea Cheapo, co-ordinator of the Committee for the Merger of Liberian Political Parties, as saying. The committee also includes Harry Moniba, a former vice-president, and Alhaji Kromah, a former vice-chairman of the council of state. Kromah and Taylor led rival factions during Liberia's rebel war in the 1990s.

Cheapo was quoted by the BBC as saying that the opposition leaders were discussing the proposed merger "with other Liberians in the diaspora and in refugee camps in Africa and elsewhere".

He also said the talks might include the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) which has fought Taylor since 1998, BBC reported. "We want them to participate in this merger," he said. "We've been suggesting to the government publicly that they should try to negotiate with the LURD so that we can have peace."

Taylor announced in September that elections would be held in 2003. He lifted certain restrictions, including a state of emergency and a ban on political rallies, saying this would pave way for national reconciliation.