The Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) movement expressed its "commitment to participate in ongoing efforts" by the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Contact Group on Liberia to end the conflict in the west African nation.

A LURD statement, however, called for "necessary conditions to ensure a fruitful outcome (of the talks) including the commitment of the government of Liberia to abide to compromises reached during the negotiations."

It also urged ECOWAS and the Ghanaian government to "make all necessary arrangements to ensure the full participation and the safe passage for members of the delegations."

The rebels said they were committed to protecting civilians in areas under their control and said "safe passage is being granted to those ready to leave Liberia," adding that there was no "molestation, harrassment and intimidation."

Nigeria's ex-dictator General Abdulsalami Abubakar will mediate the talks between the Liberian government and the two rebel groups: the LURD and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), which recently emerged in the country's south.

The talks, to be held under the aegis of ECOWAS and the International Contact Group on Liberia, are aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace including a lasting truce, security, electoral reform, respect for human rights, the rule of law and national reconciliation.

The Contact Group, set up last September 17 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, is made up of the United Nations, the European Union, ECOWAS, the African Union, the United States, France, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco.

Taylor, whose government in a surprise decision announced that he would attend the peace talks in Ghana, has however ruled out sharing power with the rebels, as suggested recently by visiting UN refugee chief, Rudd Lubbers.

At a meeting at the weekend with leaders of his National Patriotic Party (NPP), Taylor said: "I cannot accept an interim government because my government was brought to power through the ballot box".

"There will be no interim government... none," he said, adding: "I will not offer jobs to people who destroyed properties and killed the Liberian people."

The LURD communique said that sorting out the Liberian imbroglio "requires a comprehensive conflict settlement framework that encompasses political issues, humanitarian matters, post-conflict economic recovery schemes and clear rules of engagement ... leading to free and fair elections."

Liberia emerged from a seven-year civil war that claimed some 250,000 lives, in 1997 -- the year Taylor, a former warlord, was elected -- only to plunge into a new conflict in 1999, when LURD rose up against the government.

Taylor over the weekend also insisted that elections in Liberia will go ahead on October 14, unless the supreme court orders otherwise.

"I will lead the Liberian nation and its people until I am removed by the will and power of the Creator," the Liberian president said.

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