Top UN envoy 'delighted' at Nigerian warning to Liberian ex-president

The top United Nations envoy to Liberia said today he was "delighted" at a Nigerian announcement that it was clamping down on the ability of exiled former President Charles Taylor of Liberia to interfere in the affairs of his homeland, where the UN is trying to restore peace and democracy after 14 years of conflict.

In an interview with UN Radio, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for Liberia, Jacques Klein, said it was important that the Nigerian Government has made a very strong statement.

Mr. Klein has expressed concern over reports that Mr. Taylor was exerting influence over government members still in Monrovia, the Liberian capital.

According to published reports, a statement issued on behalf of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday warned Mr. Taylor against interfering in his war-torn nation, a month after he accepted exile in Nigeria as part of an internationally backed peace deal.

"The conditions, given and accepted by Mr. Taylor, for his asylum in Nigeria clearly forbid any interference in the ongoing political process aimed at ending the prolonged crisis in Liberia," the statement said.

"The Government of Nigeria has made it clear to Mr. Taylor that it will not tolerate any breach of this condition and others which forbid him from engaging in active communications with anyone engaged in political, illegal or governmental activities in Liberia," it added.