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Liberian president invites rebels into governmentBush welcomes Taylor's departure
MONROVIA, Liberia (CNN) -- Liberia's newly sworn-in president vowed Monday to do all he could to bring peace to Liberia and invited rebels who waged war on his predecessor, Charles Taylor, to join his government. Hours after Taylor ceded the presidency to him, Moses Blah offered to share power with the rebels. He predicted that "within two or three days" he would make progress toward ending the 14-year war that has ripped apart his country. "I'm inviting the rebels to come and join me round this government," Blah said in an interview with CNN International, adding that he would consider offering the post of vice president to a rebel leader. "I will appeal to them to lay down their arms and come back to Monrovia." Blah, who was Taylor's vice president, said he would follow the tradition of Liberians in which they solve their disputes by meeting in a hut in a village. "We'll sit there and discuss this matter and put an end to it," he said. "My direction is to bring peace to Liberia. "I bet you that within two or three days we hear a difference, that they have laid down their arms and they've come to me in peace." (Blah profile) He said he would tell the warring factions to "forget the past. Everybody calm down. Put down your arms and let's make peace. Ordinary Liberians are suffering." Blah is expected to hold the presidency until October, when a transitional government to be formed at the peace talks will take power. Soon after Taylor left for exile in Nigeria, a rebel spokesman said the war was over. In Denver, President Bush called Taylor's departure "an important step toward a better future for the Liberian people. The United States will work with the Liberian people and with the international community to achieve a lasting peace, after more than a decade of turmoil and suffering." Bush said the United States will help West African countries and humanitarian organizations "to get aid to those who need it," and thanked the presidents of Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Mozambique for their efforts. "Their continued leadership will be needed in the weeks and months ahead as a new government is formed and the Liberian people seek to chart a future of peace and stability," he said. Taylor arrives in NigeriaThe former Liberian leader arrived Monday night in Nigeria to start life in exile under the protection of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has promised not to hand Taylor over to a U.N.-backed court that accuses him of war crimes. (Face justice, critics tell Taylor) Taylor walked down the steps from the Nigerian jet that flew him out of Liberia and onto a red carpet at the airport in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Earlier in Monrovia, Taylor had given a spirited farewell speech, saying he was a willing "sacrificial lamb" for the good of his people. In his final speech, he that "history would be kind to me. "I leave you with these parting words," he vowed, "God willing, I will be back." Taylor warned that the precedent was not a good one, and that other African leaders might find themselves forced out of power. His speech came a day after he said he was stepping down to save the lives of his citizens, adding: "I stop now out of love for you." (Speech excerpts) In an address to the nation Sunday, Taylor blamed the United States for the violence, saying Washington was backing the rebels. But on Monday, he praised President Bush. "I know he has a good heart even though he is misled," he said. "I know God will reveal the truth to him." As Taylor's motorcade traveled the 60 miles from Monrovia to Roberts International Airport, three U.S. Navy ships appeared on the western horizon -- the first time since their arrival in the region last week that they have been visible from the Liberian coast. Ships laden with supplies have been unable to unload at the rebel-held port. But the West African states said they expected the rebels to pull away from their positions and allow the port to reopen. Blah asks for helpSoon after swearing in, the new Liberian leader pleaded for international aid to help his nation recover from the war, which has left the capital without running water, and with little food or medicine. "We need help from the great United States, the European Union, the African Union," Blah said. In Washington, Secretary of State Colin Powell said he was happy with the day's events. "We're very pleased at the developments we saw in Monrovia today, the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power from Charles Taylor to now President Blah and the departure of Mister Taylor for Nigeria," he said. "We hope that all of the parties to this conflict will recognize that it's time for the conflict to end." Powell said the United States would send troops, but that the forces would not to play a leading role. "If the situation remains calm, I would not expect any large commitment of forces," he said. Still, Blah said, a few thousand troops are probably all that would be needed to ease the plight of the 3.5 million Liberians. "Liberia is a very small country," Blah said. "We don't need millions of soldiers here." The situation for Liberians remains dire. The United Nations estimates that at least 450,000 people are displaced in Monrovia. Nationwide, more than 1 million people -- close to a third of the population -- are homeless. Thousands have died in the past three years, and starvation and illness are rampant. In 1989, Taylor led a rebellion that resulted in the execution of dictator Samuel Doe and triggered a civil war. An estimated 200,000 people were killed during the next seven years as various factions fought for power. Taylor's faction emerged as a dominant force in the following years, and when special elections were held in 1997, he and his National Patriotic Party won an overwhelming victory. Opponents claimed that corruption marred the vote. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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