New leader for West African intervention force

The commander of the West African intervention force, General Victor Malu, who is being recalled to Nigeria unexpectedly from his regional base in Liberia, has said he did not believe this was at request of the Liberian president, Charles Taylor.

The two men have disagreed over the role of ECOMOG in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The Nigerian-led intervention force ends its mission in Liberia in February.

General Malu is to be replaced on Thursday by General Timothy Shelpidi, currently head of training for the Nigerian armed forces.

General Malu told the BBC he was sorry he had not been able to finish his work and move into Sierra Leone.

ECOMOG is trying to persuade the military government there to return the country to civilian rule.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service