DATE=8/7/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LIBERIA / PEACEKEEPERS WRAP (S)

NUMBER=2-306268

BYLINE=ALISHA RYU

DATELINE=MONROVIA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Long-awaited West African peacekeepers entered the besieged city of Monrovia, Liberia on Thursday to cheering crowds chanting, "we want peace." V-O-A Correspondent Alisha Ryu has details from Monrovia.

TEXT: Tens of thousands of Liberians cheered as more than a hundred Nigerian peacekeepers traveled from their base at Monrovia's main airport into the central district area of the city.

/// SOUND OF CROWD - EST & FADE ///

Liberians have been appealing for rescue from peacekeeping troops since fresh fighting broke out in early June between forces loyal to Liberian President Charles Taylor and rebels attempting to oust him. Nearly two thousand people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced from their homes.

Nigerians are leading a vanguard of 500 peacekeepers, who arrived in the country earlier this week.

On Thursday, President Taylor shunned an emergency session of Parliament and instead sent a written note, saying that an international conspiracy is preventing him from governing any further.

The Parliament, by an overwhelming vote, endorsed Mr. Taylor's stepping down from office and handing over power to his Vice President Moses Blah. (Signed)

NEB/AR/MAR/RH