Liberian parliament to probe role in S.Leone war

MONROVIA, Liberia (Reuters) -- Liberia's parliament has set up a committee to probe allegations that its government is helping fuel a war in Sierra Leone through the sale of diamonds from the neighboring state, the parliament's speaker said on Friday.

Liberian President Charles Taylor has been accused by Britain and the United States of personally profiting from the civil war by facilitating the trade in arms and diamonds.

Liberia has rejected the claims, challenging its accusers to back up their allegations.

"The committee is not to indict, but to find out the truth on these allegations," House of Representatives speaker Nyudueh Morkonmana told reporters in parliament.

The 13-strong committee is expected to submit its report to a plenary session of the house at least seven days before it adjourns in December.

Taylor has close links with Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front rebels, going back to the days when he led an armed rebel faction in Liberia's own civil war, which ended in 1997 with elections that Taylor won.

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