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Taylor surrenders power to deputy

Liberians celebrate after the President, Charles Taylor, stepped down in Monrovia on Monday. — AFP

MONROVIA (Liberia) AUG. 11 . The Liberian President, Charles Taylor, former warlord blamed for nearly 14 years of bloodshed and indicted for war crimes in Sierra Leone, surrendered power on Monday to his Vice- President.

Pushed to resign by the U.S. and West African leaders, Mr. Taylor declared that history would judge him kindly, speaking at his long-promised resignation ceremony in Liberia's war-blasted capital.

African leaders said his departure marks the end of an era of bloodshed. Yet, rebels besieging the capital threatened to resume fighting if Mr. Taylor did not leave for exile in Nigeria immediately.

Mr. Taylor, who has reneged on repeated promises to resign, began his farewell address by exhorting the international community to help Liberia.

Mr. Taylor looked on as successor Moses Blah was sworn in.

Placing his left hand on the Bible and raising his right, Mr. Blah pledged to "faithfully, conscientiously and impartially discharge the duties and functions of the Republic of Liberia."

Mr. Blah began his presidency with a moment of silence for all those have died in Liberia's wars.

``Let the nation begin to heal,'' he said. ``Let all of us unite as one people and work to peace.''

However, rebels have rejected Mr. Taylor's choice of successor — a longtime ally and comrade in arms — and demanded that a neutral candidate be chosen to preside over a transitional government until elections can be held. West African leaders said Mr. Blah would hand power to a transitional government on the second Tuesday of October.

AP

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