George Weah holds huge pre-election rally in Liberia
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-09 16:16

Despite his lack of higher education and experience in public office, Weah is nevertheless hugely popular because he is seen as untainted by links with former warlords who used drugged child soldiers to terrorise the country during the civil war.

FOOTBALL, NOT GUNS

"We don't want AKs (automatic rifles), we want to play football," shouted Aminata Kamara as she led a gaggle of singing female supporters towards Weah's house.

Despite his international exposure in a glittering career that included playing stints at Monaco, Paris St Germain and AC Milan, Weah seemed bewildered by the scale of the hero worship.

"It's completely overwhelming," he said as he emerged through the front door of his single-storey home, to be mobbed by roaring fans. Some jumped into his swimming pool to cool off from the heat.

"We have to bring the people together and call for peace and stability," he said as security guards in T-shirts emblazoned with "Battle Cry" elbowed their way to the front gate.

Like the other candidates, Weah has based his campaign on repeated promises to repair Liberia's war-shattered infrastructure and restore prosperity to a country that was founded by freed African slaves from America in 1847.

Sceptics say many of those who turn up at Weah's rallies are either too young to vote or just want to see a national hero.

But his supporters are in no doubt what the outcome of Tuesday's election will be.

"Forget about the results. We know that come October 11 George Weah will be taking the keys to the executive mansion," said Freddy Chika, 32.