Liberian leader signs order to set up war crimes court

Liberian President Joseph Boakai has signed an executive order to set up a long-awaited war crimes court, more than two decades after the end of the country's devastating civil wars.

The order is a major step towards establishing the tribunal, which Mr Boakai said would help to bring ''justice and closure".

About a quarter of a million people died in Liberia's two civil wars between 1989 and 2003.

The conflicts saw widespread atrocities including mass killings, rape and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.

Some in Liberia have opposed the court's creation, saying it risks reopening old wounds.