Liberian warlord in line to be kingmaker

A rebel leader who videotaped himself drinking beer as his men cut off the ears of the nation's former president has finished third in this week's presidential election, according to partial results issued yesterday.

Incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace laureate who is the continent's only female president, appears likely to finish first with 41.7 per cent of the vote, but with 24.5 per cent voting for her challenger, she needs number three Prince Johnson's endorsement to win the upcoming run-off.