Former Liberian president Charles Taylor, arrested in northeast Nigeria on Wednesday morning 24 hours after his escape, arrived at his homeland, where UN peacekeepers were waiting to arrest him on charges of war crimes.

Witnesses told Xinhua that Taylor, accompanied by a dozens of soldiers and in a white traditional flowing gown "Agbada," boarded a Nigerian presidential jet which took off from the northeastern city of Maiduguri at exactly 1:30 p.m. (1230 GMT). The Maiduguri- Monrovia route usually takes about three hours.

Reports from Monrovia's Roberts International Airport said scores of citizens and residents had gathered around the vicinity, gazing into the skies to catch a glimpse at the aircraft that would bring the deported ex-president from exile from Nigeria.

There are indications that the 58-year-old warlord could transferred to Freetown, Sierra Leone by 1800 GMT on Wednesday. But a spokeswoman for the United Nations peacekeeping force in Liberia (UNMIL) said she had no information about Taylor so far.

Security at the airport is reportedly very tight as the quick reaction force of the 15,000-strong multinational UN peacekeepers took up positions there to effect their mandate "to apprehend, detain and transfer" Taylor to Freetown, where he is to face 17- count charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for allegedly fueling the brutal civil war there.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was scheduled to address the nation at 1000 GMT on Wednesday, but her address was put back to 1400 GMT. But by 1400 GMT, Johnson-Sirleaf's nationwide address was again put back to 1800 GMT.

Explaining reason for the twice rescheduling of Johnson-Sirleaf 's nationwide address, a source at the president's office who did not want to be identified told Xinhua that: "The president want to have Taylor's transfer issue settled and put behind her once and for all."

"We are hoping that by six o'clock (1600 GMT) today, Taylor would have been transferred," the source said, adding that "the president does not want to address the nation prior to Taylor's transfer to avoid unforeseen embarrassment should the unexpected happen surrounding Taylor."

Monrovia has been relatively calm as many persons gathered around transistor radios to listen to news as Taylor's arrest filtered in. Commuters also went about their normal businesses.

Last January, the UNMIL conducted a week-long military exercise intended to provide reinforcement for the 250 Mongolian troops guarding the UN-backed special war crimes court in neighboring Sierra Leone.

The military exercise was also intended to carry out possible rescue operation for the special court officials and the detainees.

UNMIL Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Thommy Goransson of Sweden told reporters during the exercise in Freetown, capital of Sierra Leone that "although the situation in Sierra Leone is well for now, the military can plan for the worst and therefore have to exercise. "

The UN-backed court was set up three years ago to prosecute those considered principal perpetrators in the decade-long civil war in that country in which crimes against humanity were committed, including the chopping off of limbs of children.

Source: Xinhua