DATE=08/07/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LIBERIA/CONFLICT (S)

NUMBER=2-306254

BYLINE=SARAH SIMPSON

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Liberians gathered on the streets of the capital Monrovia in anticipation of the promised deployment of the Nigerian-led peacekeeping force. But the 300 troops did not arrive in the early morning as promised, but stayed at the airport some 40 kilometers outside of town for reasons that were not immediately clear. Sarah Simpson reports from the V-O-A West Africa Bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: The crowds that went out early to greet the peacekeepers were disappointed. Liberians have put a lot of hope in the peacekeepers to end 14 years of bloody civil war.

The Nigerian commander of the force said on Wednesday that the troops would be deployed in government-held areas of Monrovia early Thursday morning. The commander also said he met with senior rebel officers, and said he would meet with them again on Friday about deploying peacekeepers in zones they control.

Residents of the government-held areas are eager to be able to move into rebel territory, where food is more plentiful.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for Liberian President Charles Taylor says he will not appear at a special session of parliament Thursday, where he was expected to officially express his intention to resign next week. The rebels say the war will go on, unless Mr. Taylor resigns, and leaves the country. (SIGNED)

NEB/SS/AWP/TW