**Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is due to continue his defence at a war crimes tribunal in The Hague.**Mr Taylor appeared in the witness box at his trial for the first time on Tuesday, dismissing the charges against him as “lies”.
He is accused of having armed and directed rebel groups during the civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
He denies 11 counts, including murder, terrorism, rape and torture, at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.
An estimated 500,000 people were killed, mutilated or suffered other atrocities in the 1991-2002 civil war.
Some of the worst crimes were committed by child soldiers who were drugged to desensitise them.
Mr Taylor is the first African leader to be tried by an international court.
‘Deceit and deception’
Testifying on Tuesday for the first time since his trial began more than two years ago, he told the court he had only wanted to bring peace to Liberia’s West African neighbour.
CHARLES TAYLOR CHARGES
- Violation of humanitarian law: Conscripting child soldiers
- Crimes against humanity: Terrorising civilians, murder, rape, sexual slavery, enslavement
- War crimes: Violence to life and cruel treatment (including hacking off limbs) pillage
Q&A: Trying Taylor](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/africa/4848938.stm)
He denied being involved in atrocities committed by Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels during the civil war.
“I am not guilty of these charges, not even a minute part of these charges,” he said. “This whole case is a case of deceit, deception and lies.”
Prosecutors have called 91 witnesses in pressing their case that Mr Taylor provided arms, money and support to Sierra Leone rebels in exchange for diamonds.
The defence says Mr Taylor could not have managed a rebel operation in Sierra Leone while also running affairs of state in Liberia.
Mr Taylor is the first of 249 witnesses the defence has said it may call.
The trial was moved to the Netherlands from Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, amid fears it could create instability there and in neighbouring Liberia.
A verdict in the case is expected some time in 2010.