Liberian court reinstates speaker

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Liberia's Supreme Court has ruled that this month's sacking of the speaker of parliament was "unconstitutional".

Chief Justice Johnny Luis declared that Edwin Snowe remains speaker because parliament was in recess when 43 of the 63 MPs voted to oust him.

Mr Snowe was once married to the daughter of former President Charles Taylor, awaiting trial in The Hague on war crimes charges.

Mr Snowe was accused of breaking two parliamentary laws.

He had apologised to parliament for taking an interpreter on a trip without permission and meddling in Liberia's diplomatic policy on China - for which he had received a parliamentary pardon.

He had accused the president's office of bribing those who voted against him - accusations which were denied.

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf came to power a year ago after a peace process that ended a brutal 14-year civil war.

Mr Taylor is awaiting trial by a UN-backed court in The Hague for alleged war crimes committed in the related conflict in Sierra Leone.

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The BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh in Monrovia says the position of speaker of the House of Representatives is seen as the third most powerful political post in the country.

The issue has been a major media talking point as Mr Snowe - a former president of the Liberian Football Association - enjoys considerable popularity, he says.

Mr Snowe is still under a UN travel ban - relaxed by parliament last year for him to travel to Qatar - as part of sanctions imposed on Mr Taylor's close associates in 2001.

He is accused by the UN of financing Mr Taylor's activities.