Ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor says his troops were trained to avoid atrocities

Taylor says his men trained to avoid atrocities

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Former Liberian President Charles Taylor has told a war crimes court his band of rebel fighters were trained in Libya to avoid atrocities as they swept into the country in a 1989 revolution.

Taylor is on the witness stand for the third day at his trial for allegedly commanding rebels during Sierra Leone’s civil war.

He has pleaded not guilty to 11 war crimes and crimes against humanity charges.

Taylor told the Special Court for Sierra Leone on Thursday that for his 168-strong force to seize power in Liberia it would have needed the support of the local population.

Prosecutors say rebels backed by Taylor in Sierra Leone used terror tactics including systematic amputations to force the population’s support.