Weah bid draws Liberian crowds

Tens of thousands turned up, making Weah look like a winner

Huge crowds marched through Liberia's capital, Monrovia, on Saturday to back former football star George Weah in his bid to become president.

They held posters of Mr Weah as they marched under the guidance of marshals, some on roller-skates.

A total of 22 candidates are standing in Tuesday's poll, with opposition leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf expected to be Mr Weah's strongest challenger.

Three others held final rallies in Monrovia - all passing off peacefully.

The presidential and parliamentary polls will be the first since the former Liberian leader, Charles Taylor, was forced to step down two years ago as part of a peace deal.

The poll being held under United Nations tutelage is designed to turn a page on Liberia's bloody history and usher in democracy and peace, says the BBC's world affairs correspondent Mark Doyle.

Corruption charge

The crowds - numbering hundreds of thousands - occupied a 10-km four-lane motorway that was swamped from end to end with overflowing cars and pedestrians, says our correspondent there.

In his address, Mr Weah promised "sustainable peace and development for all Liberians".

The huge crowds in Monrovia made George Weah look like a winner but he has stiff competition, our correspondent says.

Main poll contenders Q&A: Liberia polls

There are more than 20 candidates for the presidency, and his critics say that while George Weah is respected, even loved as a successful former footballer, he is surrounded by corrupt advisers.

But the presidential hopeful told our correspondent that he saw no problem at all.

"Well I think that corruption starts from the head. If I'm corrupt, definitely the people around will be corrupt. But if I'm not corrupt, the people around me, even if they are corrupt, they will change because of my honesty and the way I work, my discipline, I mean will be instilled in them."

Some 15,000 UN soldiers are in Liberia to ensure peace after 14 years of war.

Mr Taylor's National Patriotic Party is also fielding a candidate, Roland Massaquoi.

A vice-president and members of parliament will also be selected at the polls next Tuesday.