The Liberian President, Charles Taylor, has agreed to step down on 11 August ? a few days later than expected. The announcement came after West African ministers met Taylor to discuss plans for him to go into exile in Nigeria. Taylor is backtracking from his promise to leave the country three days after peacekeepers arrive. A first contingent of 1,500 Nigerian troops is due to be airlifted into the capital, Monrovia, today.

The United Nations approved a multinational force to keep order after Taylor steps down. The UN Security Council authorised the deployment of a West African force to help implement a ceasefire, and its replacement by a UN peacekeeping force by 1 October. Two American warships are nearing the Liberian coast carrying marines, helicopters and landing craft. The warships will take up positions off the coast, but the American-drafted UN resolution makes no mention of any participation by US troops.

Exile uncertain

The transfer of power will come in a joint session of Liberia?s congress, Taylor told reporters. ?At 1159 on Monday August 11, I will step down and the new guy will be sworn in,? Taylor said, confirming an earlier statement by Ghana?s Foreign Minister. But he refused to say when he would leave the country. ?The most important thing is, everything that we have said about resigning and leaving will happen,? he said.

The government forces are trying to recapture the port, which is held by the main rebel group Lurd (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy). Hundreds of civilians have been killed since fighting reached Monrovia in June, as rebel groups made gains after three years of civil war.

Lurd and a smaller rebel group Model (Movement for Democracy in Liberia) between them control at least two thirds of the country. Taylor said he was leading the fight for the second city, Buchanan, but Monrovia is full of rumours that he spent the day in his home, determined not to meet the envoys.

Taylor, who has been indicted by a UN-backed war crimes tribunal in Sierra Leone, has said he will take up an offer of asylum from Nigeria ? but only after peacekeepers arrive to prevent possible ensuing chaos.