He was the last Liberian president to have been born in the United States.

From 1878 onwards Liberian presidents regularly called for more foreign trade and more foreign investment in Liberia.

He helped end Liberia's civil war by taking in Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president and warlord.

Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president, was one of Africa's most feared warlords who once compared himself to Jesus.

Earlier this week, President Bush, who will make his first visit to Africa next month, called on the Liberian president to step aside.

An Americo-Liberian, Johnson was the first Liberian president born in Africa.

Those hostages were all subsequently released through the intervention of the Liberian president, Charles Taylor, who has close ties to the rebels.

From the rebel point of view, peace depends on what the Liberian president decides to do.

The latest fighting, between forces loyal to the Liberian president, Charles Taylor, and his rebel enemies, turned the school's year-end plans upside down.

American and British diplomats say the Liberian president, Charles Taylor, is a principal player in diamond smuggling.