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| 2003/08/03 |
Taylor vow to step down on August 11
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10:11:29 �.�
Monrovia, Aug 3 - Embattled Liberian President Charles Taylor on Saturday pledged to hand over power in nine days and leave the country later, as government troops launched a fierce offensive against rebel positions in the capital.
The promise marked the first time the former warlord has set a definite date to relinquish control and came just two days before west African peacekeepers were due to arrive in the capital Monrovia to end a 15-day siege by rebels.
"At 11:59 a.m. on Monday (August 11) I'll step down and a new guy must be sworn in by midday on that Monday," Taylor, who has been under intense international pressure to quit, said after talks with a team of west African envoys.
Liberia's senate and house of representatives were due to meet on Thursday to organise the formal handover.
Liberia's constitution declares that Vice President Moses Blah would take over if Taylor died. However, if the president steps down voluntarily, the speaker of the house of representatives, Nyudueh Morkonmana, would assume power.
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