Liberians rejoice as peacekeepers arrive

[Nambe]

MONROVIA (Reuters)

West African peacekeepers have swooped into Liberia by helicopter, as hundreds of war-weary Liberians dance for joy in the capital's ruined streets on hopes of an end to 14 years of bloodshed.

Nigerian soldiers in flak jackets and helmets leapt out into driving rain at the international airport near the war-battered capital Monrovia on Monday, as hundreds of Liberians welcomed them with cheers and chants of "No more war, we want peace".

In Rome, the leader of the main rebel group, LURD, which controls Monrovia's vital port, said his fighters would withdraw once the Nigerians moved in. He also reiterated demands that Liberia's President Charles Taylor leave the country as soon as possible.

More than 100 Nigerian soldiers flew in from neighbouring Sierra Leone where they had helped end a savage decade-long civil war with links to Liberia's own conflict. ---