Liberian govt-rebels ink peace deal

The deal in Ghana between President Moses Blah's government and rebels holding more than three-quarters of the country came a week after pariah leader Charles Taylor flew into exile.

Under the deal, Blah will step down in October for a chairman of an interim government to guide Liberia to elections by 2005. The chairman, who will not come from any of the warring factions, is expected to be picked this week.

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The rebels, Blah's government, opposition parties and civil society groups will share jobs in the cabinet and parliament.

It came as welcome relief on the streets of Monrovia, where 2,000 people died in the most recent spell of blood-letting before the deployment of West African peacekeepers, backed by U.S. Marines.

"This country has not been in peace since as long as I can remember," said 38-year old Sanfo Massaquoi, putting his arm protectively around his eight-year-old daughter. "I hope there is going to be peace, so I can find a job and make a living."

At the United Nations, Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed the signing of the peace agreement.

AFP adds: US President George W. Bush says UN troops will replace US forces deployed in Liberia by October 1, according to an interview transcript the White House released here Monday.

"We'll be out of there by October 1. We've got UN blue helmeted troops ready to replace our limited number of troops," Bush told Armed Forces Radio and Television Service in an exclusive interview last Thursday.