U.S. Marines, helicopters and screaming jets backed up West African peacekeepers as they pushed into rebel-held areas of Liberia’s battle-worn capital Monrovia on Thursday to a riotous heroes’ welcome. Thousands of people surged out, cheering, dancing and punching the air, as Nigerian troops of the Ecomil force crossed key bridges to take up positions from ragtag fighters pulling out now pariah leader Charles Taylor has flown into exile. Bursts of gunfire — joyful blasts from the rebels — rang out when the peacekeepers moved into the port, vital for getting aid to hundreds of thousands of refugees from recent fighting that left at least 2,000 dead. “As long as Ecomil is here the war is over,” said Laurence Saywula, 28, trapped for weeks behind rebel lines. Full Story
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