Liberian President Moses Blah yesterday arrived in the Ghanaian capital Accra for talks with rebel leaders focussed on pursuing peace following the departure of former leader Charles Taylor.

Blah, who took over on Monday after Taylor went into exile, is due to discuss peace prospects with two rebel groups who have been attending west African-brokered talks on Liberia in Ghana since June.

Defence Minister Daniel Chea told reporters: "We are here for final negotiations leading to the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement".

Foreign Minister Lewis Brown earlier said the aim of the visit was "to discuss the peace process and the way forward".

"We are very optimistic, the process is well advanced," he added.

Ghanaian sources said the visiting Liberian team was also due to hold talks with Ghana's President John Kufuor, who is also the current head of Ecowas, the west African bloc that has played a leading role in trying to resolve the Liberian crisis.

The departure of Taylor, who was the epicentre of two civil wars that raged almost continuously for 14 years, has been hailed as a sign that Liberia's cycle of violence may finally end. – Sapa-AFP.