WORLD IN BRIEF : LIBERIA : Rebel Troops Being Disarmed

West African troops entered the rebel-controlled countryside to begin disarming the forces of guerrilla leader Charles Taylor as part of efforts to end nearly two years of civil war. Politicians are confident that the disarmament effort will lead to the return of many of the 800,000 refugees in neighboring countries, and to elections scheduled to be held by April. “It’s not a pipe dream,” insisted Amos Sawyer, a professor who leads the West African-backed interim government in Monrovia. He said he is confident that Taylor is ready to disarm, despite the rebel leader’s long opposition to West African intervention.