United Nations, Aug 02: The United Nations Security Council has adopted a US-backed resolution paving the way for deployment of a multinational force in war-torn Liberia under the world body's mandate.

However, France, Germany and Mexico abstained to protest the provision in the US drafted resolution that effectively bars the International Criminal Court (ICC) from prosecuting any peacekeeper for any crime unless his or her country has ratified ICC.
The original provision would have barred ICC from taking action against any peacekeeper, saying that only the country to which he or she belongs could do so. But as some members protested, Britain prevailed on the US to grant exemption from the provision to 91 nations that have ratified ICC. The Bush administration is vehemently opposed to the court.
The US pressed for vote as the first contingent of peacekeeper from Nigeria is expected to start deploying Monday in the capital of Monrovia where hundreds have died in the fighting between rebels and troops loyal of President Charles Taylor in the last few days and starvation.
The resolution also asks Liberian President Charles Taylor to leave the country so that war comes to an end. Taylor has been indicted for by the UN backed Sierra Leone court trying war crimes.



The Nigerians form the core of the multinational force that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is assembling. The multinational force, under the resolution, would remain in Liberia for two months and would be replaced by a UN peacekeeping force on October 1.


Bureau Report