United Nations: The United Nations Security Council has adopted a US-backed resolution paving the way for deployment of a multinational force in war-torn Liberia under the world body's mandate.

However, France, Germany and Mexico abstained to protest the provision in the US drafted resolution that effectively bars the International Criminal Court (ICC) from prosecuting any peacekeeper for any crime unless his or her country has ratified ICC.

The original provision would have barred ICC from taking action against any peacekeeper, saying that only the country to which he or she belongs could do so. But as some members protested, Britain prevailed on the US to grant exemption from the provision to 91 nations that have ratified ICC. The Bush administration is vehemently opposed to the court.

The US pressed for vote as the first contingent of peacekeeper from Nigeria is expected to start deploying on August 4 in the capital of Monrovia, where hundreds have died in the fighting between rebels and troops loyal of President Charles Taylor in the last few days and starvation.

The resolution also asks Liberian President Charles Taylor to leave the country so that war comes to an end. Taylor has been indicted for by the UN backed Sierra Leone court trying war crimes.

The Nigerians form the core of the multinational force that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is assembling. The multinational force, under the resolution, would remain in Liberia for two months and would be replaced by a UN peacekeeping force on October 1.

"Frankly, my sentiments are with those countries which abstained," Secretary General Kofi Annan said when asked about the position taken by France, Germany and Mexico.

The three said they abstained as the provision undermines the authority of ICC and international law. France has veto power, but did not use it as a bargaining chip, as it would have delayed the deployment without which fighting is unlikely to end and could have resulted in more casualties.

The resolution does not specify any role for American troops and US Ambassador John Negroponte, who piloted the resolution, was equally non-committal saying it is for President George W Bush to take a decision. "But US would do its part to support the endeavour," he told reporters.

"I hope that it (the resolution) implies a new political will, a will that, I think, has been absent among the international community. But now that his resolution is a passed, I hope we will move ahead with urgent and determined action to help Liberian people," he said.

Annan had recommended deployment of multinational force a month ago, but it was delayed as Nigeria demanded financial and logistic support and this resulted in impasse as the members debated who would pay for it.

He had suggested that the UN mission in Sierra Leone, which is winding down, could provide the transport and other support and the resolution authorises use of those resources for the Liberian endeavour.

The Nigerian battalion going into Liberia is one, which just finished its duty in Sierra Leone and was due to go home. The second Nigerian battalion would come from Lagos.

PTI