The Liberian leader Charles Taylor has said the French language will be treated as an equal with English in future, following his visit to France to strengthen ties with Liberia.

Mr Taylor told reporters in Paris it was inevitable that French would be spoken in Liberia with the establishment of new cultural and trade links, and he confirmed he would be attending the Francophone African summit in November.

Mr Taylor met French business leaders yesterday to discuss possible joint ventures to reconstruct Liberia after its seven-year civil war.

He said he wanted to sell off state-owned companies, but needed help to restore water and power supplies, and repair roads, hospitals and the telephone system.

No definite trade agreements have been announced so far.