Weah's presidential bid boosted
2005-10-10 21:32
Monrovia - Soccer icon George Manneh Weah's presidential bid has received a boost with executives of former factions in the Liberian conflict endorsing his candidacy, reports said on Monday.
A group calling itself Liberians United for Progress and Democracy, said only George Weah has the credentials to "truly unite Liberians" in elections scheduled for Tuesday.
The group includes the dismissed speaker of the transitional legislature, George Dweh of the defunct Liberians United for Reconstruction and Development (Lurd), the leader of the defunct Movement for Democracy in Liberia (Model), foreign minister Thomas Yaya Nimely and executives of Charles Taylor's defunct government of Liberia military wing.
According to a statement issued by the group in Monrovia on Sunday, the former faction executives observed that Weah has neither participated in nor financed any war effort, making him the best candidate of the people.
No faith in politicians
Most Liberians have lost faith in politicians whom they blame for the protracted period of civil strife in their country.
Weah, considered a novice in politics and a grass-rooter, is considered by many as the most appropriate person to reunite Liberians polarised by nearly two decades of civil conflict.
Weah, believed to have the largest following in this year's presidential race, draws his support mostly from ex-combatants, poor youths, street-sellers and the illiterate masses.
His last campaign rally code-named "Million Man March" pulled the largest crowd this year.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (Unmil) and Liberian state security have launched a security operation code-named "Operation New Day" to co-ordinate security arrangements for Tuesday's polls.
At the weekend launch of the operation which brought together justice minister Kabineh Ja'neh, acting police inspector-general Joseph Kerkua and Unmil civilian police commissioner Mohamed Alhassan, Unmil chief Alan Doss noted that security was crucial for the holding of peaceful elections.
He urged all stakeholders in the process to conduct themselves responsibly during the voting process. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA