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Taylor's vice president testifies Taylor's vice-president testifies
(20 minutes later)
The war crimes trial of Liberia's ex-President Charles Taylor is hearing evidence from his former deputy.The war crimes trial of Liberia's ex-President Charles Taylor is hearing evidence from his former deputy.
The BBC's Grant Ferrett at the Hague says as Moses Blah took the witness stand, he was careful not to look at the man he served for nearly 20 years.The BBC's Grant Ferrett at the Hague says as Moses Blah took the witness stand, he was careful not to look at the man he served for nearly 20 years.
He gave the court a detailed account of Mr Taylor's bloody rise to power and acknowledged the use of child soldiers. Mr Taylor is on trial accused of backing rebels who committed atrocities in neighbouring Sierra Leone. He gave the court a detailed account of Mr Taylor's bloody rise to power and acknowledged the use of child soldiers.
Mr Taylor is on trial accused of backing rebels who committed atrocities in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
Mr Blah is expected to give evidence later about the war in Sierra Leone.Mr Blah is expected to give evidence later about the war in Sierra Leone.
Mr Blah became vice-president of Liberia in 2000. He became president after Mr Taylor was forced into exile in 2003.Mr Blah became vice-president of Liberia in 2000. He became president after Mr Taylor was forced into exile in 2003.
However, he was only Liberian president for two months, until October 2003, when a United Nations-backed transitional government was sworn in.However, he was only Liberian president for two months, until October 2003, when a United Nations-backed transitional government was sworn in.
'Not worried''Not worried'
Mr Blah is the most senior figure to give evidence at the trial since it began in January.Mr Blah is the most senior figure to give evidence at the trial since it began in January.
Charles Taylor denies war crimes and crimes against humanityCharles Taylor denies war crimes and crimes against humanity
He came to the Hague reluctantly, but said he intended to tell the truth.He came to the Hague reluctantly, but said he intended to tell the truth.
"I'm not going to crucify him - he's my former boss," Mr Blah told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme before travelling to the Hague."I'm not going to crucify him - he's my former boss," Mr Blah told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme before travelling to the Hague.
"I have nothing personal against President Taylor - we worked together almost like brothers; we had a revolution going together, so I don't think I'm going to betray him," he added."I have nothing personal against President Taylor - we worked together almost like brothers; we had a revolution going together, so I don't think I'm going to betray him," he added.
In court Mr Blah provided a detailed insider's account of the early days of the civil war.In court Mr Blah provided a detailed insider's account of the early days of the civil war.
He said he was one of the first 20 or so rebel fighters who received training at a military base in Burkina Faso.He said he was one of the first 20 or so rebel fighters who received training at a military base in Burkina Faso.
It was not until a larger group was assembled at a military camp in Libya that Mr Blah met Mr Taylor.It was not until a larger group was assembled at a military camp in Libya that Mr Blah met Mr Taylor.
They trained alongside rebels from The Gambia, Sierra Leone and the Philippines, all of them supported by the Libyan authorities.They trained alongside rebels from The Gambia, Sierra Leone and the Philippines, all of them supported by the Libyan authorities.
Mr Blah told the court that when the time came to invade Liberia, three truck loads of weapons were provided by the defence minister of Ivory Coast.Mr Blah told the court that when the time came to invade Liberia, three truck loads of weapons were provided by the defence minister of Ivory Coast.
Within days of crossing into Liberia in 1990, Mr Blah says he was briefly detained by child rebel fighters recruited by his own side.Within days of crossing into Liberia in 1990, Mr Blah says he was briefly detained by child rebel fighters recruited by his own side.
He said they were used because they took orders and were "unreasonable and aggressive".He said they were used because they took orders and were "unreasonable and aggressive".
A lawyer representing Mr Taylor, Terry Munyard, told the BBC his client was not worried about Mr Blah's evidence and if he told the truth there was nothing to fear.A lawyer representing Mr Taylor, Terry Munyard, told the BBC his client was not worried about Mr Blah's evidence and if he told the truth there was nothing to fear.
During Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war, which officially ended in 2002, tens of thousands of people died and thousands more were mutilated, raped and had limbs amputated.During Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war, which officially ended in 2002, tens of thousands of people died and thousands more were mutilated, raped and had limbs amputated.
Mr Taylor's case has been transferred from Sierra Leone to the Hague for security reasons, although it is still being conducted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.Mr Taylor's case has been transferred from Sierra Leone to the Hague for security reasons, although it is still being conducted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Mr Taylor denies 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.Mr Taylor denies 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.