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MONROVIA, July 8 (AFP) - Liberian President Charles Taylor has said he did not expect to travel to Durban, South Africa, to take part in the last Organisation of African Unity (OAU) summit, it was learned late Sunday.

"I will not leave the country if our people are threatened in such a way that my absence could pose additional worry and stress to our people," Taylor said in an interview with private Kiss FM radio which he owns.

Taylor said even though he played a major role in organising the African Union which is to replace the OAU, "I prefer being with my people."

"I will do nothing that will further jeopardize the security of the country. I can't afford to leave the country and go far away and there's the slightest problem that will lead to our people being further terrorized," the Liberian president emphasized.

Taylor's refusal to go comes as no surprise to many Liberians. He has implicitly accused Washington and London of trying to get rid of him.

Liberian government forces have fought since 1999 against the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and military actions have been on the rise since May.

Taylor announced a state of emergency in February and clamped down a series of draconian laws. - Nampa-AFP

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