Liberia's rebels and government signed a peace accord tonight to end threeyears of war, ending an insurgency that toppled warlord-president CharlesTaylor.
The accord calls for a two-year power-sharing government, meant to leadLiberia into elections and out of 14 years of conflict brought on by Taylor.
The two rebel movements - Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy,and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia - signed, along with representativesof Liberia's post-Taylor government.
Under the deal, all three waive any claim on the top posts in the interimgovernment.
Taylor's departure paved the way for West Africanpeacekeepers backed by US Marines to deploy in Liberia'sshattered capital Monrovia.
The document, which has been negotiated along with Liberia'spolitical parties and civil society groups, shares outgovernment portfolios between the current government, rebelgroups and political parties.
The two top jobs - chairman and deputy chairman of the newadministration - are expected to be chosen by the armedfactions within in the next few days from shortlists of threecivilian candidates nominated by the political parties and civilsociety groups.