Joyful refugees return to Liberia

An estimated 400,000 Liberians fled the civil war

The first ship carrying refugees back home from exile in Ghana has arrived in Liberia's capital, Monrovia.

People waiting on the docks said they heard the refugees on board cheering and singing hymns of praise, long before the boat arrived on Monday.

Tens of thousands of Liberians who fled the 14-year civil war have started returning home since October, following a voluntary repatriation programme.

The war ended last year when President Charles Taylor went into exile.

During the war some 400,000 Liberians are estimated to have fled into other West African countries.

'Not easy'

According to the BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh, the refugees were happy to be back home after the six-day trip.

This operation will continue for the next three years UNHCR's Abbas Haidarbaigi

"It was not easy in Ghana. I have been wishing to come home; Ghana is not like other African countries where jobs are given to foreigners," 28-year-old Ruth Brown said.

After disembarking, the almost 400 refugees were provided with food by the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, and other organisations before being taken in trucks to join their families.

"The process was wonderful. This operation will continue for the next three years; it will be air plus sea," the UNHCR's Abbas Haidarbaigi told the BBC.

But, he said, larger numbers could be transported by sea.

Liberians are due to go to the polls in October next year.