Concern over Liberia sanctions

RUF fighters, supported by Liberia, operate in Guinea

The Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Salim Ahmed Salim, has warned of "catastrophic effects" if sanctions are imposed on Liberia.

His warning comes a week after the United Nations Security Council told Liberia it would face sanctions if it failed to stop arms and diamond deals with Sierra Leone's rebels, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

Speaking after meeting President Charles Taylor in Monrovia, he described Liberian concerns regarding the sanctions threat as "legitimate."

"If they are applied, sanctions will certainly have an effect on not only those targeted, but the ordinary people," he said.

"So as fast as possible, everything that can be done should be done to avert the question of sanctions."

'Address concerns'

Mr Salim told President Taylor he had to address the concerns of the international community.

President Taylor faces sanctions

"Taylor gave me the impression that he's really determined to address some of the concerns," he said.

The OAU secretary-general said President Taylor also expressed his concerns "which need to be addressed as well".

Guinea

Mr Salim visits Guinea on Friday to discuss the border crisis resulting from rebel incursions into both countries which have prompted a planned deployment of West African military troops on their borders.

Guinea harbours half a million refugees

Since September there have been rebel incursions into Guinea, causing hundreds of deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands of people.

The secretary-general said his visit to Liberia and Guinea was aimed at ensuring peaceful co-existence between the two countries.

"The two countries have to have peace in the interest of their peoples, the region and the continent as a whole," Salim said.

"It is extremely important and vital that there must be an end to the current state of affairs and the principles of co-existence and mutual and territorial integrity must be observed," he said.