Emeka Anyaoku: "Mounting evidence Liberia supports rebels"

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Anyaoku also urged the international community to throw its weight both behind the ceasefire and behind efforts to shore up Sierra Leone's embattled democratic government.

"Yesterday the representatives of the rebel group came to my office, had a discussion with us, and we are now encouraging them to support this ceasefire."

"And I hope the international community will come in support of that, as well as in support of shoring up democracy in Sierra Leone," he said.

Chief Anyaoku: "Mounting evidence that Liberia is supporting the rebels"

The secretary-general said that up to now the burden of supporting the Freetown government had fallen too heavily on Nigeria, which has provided most of troops for the Ecomog peacekeeping force.

"The international community should do more to support peacekeeping efforts," he said.

Pressure on Liberia

Mr Anyaoku also called for international pressure to be put on Liberia to cease supporting the rebels.

"There is mounting evidence that Liberia has been supporting the rebel group," the Commonwealth leader said.