Washington: Taylor’s verdict delivers “powerful message”

The conviction of Liberian ex-president Charles Taylor on Thursday sends a "powerful message" to all war criminals, the United States said, hailing the "enormous" historical milestone.

Taylor is expected to be jailed in Britain after he is sentenced on 30 May, ending five years of hearings at the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.

"The conviction of Mr Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone's civil war in the 1990s sends a powerful message about accountability," White House spokesperson Jay Carney said in a statement, adding that the United States "applauds" the verdict.

"While there is no way fully to redress the suffering and loss of those who were killed, tortured, raped and enslaved in the service of Taylor's criminal schemes, we are hopeful that today's ruling will help to dissuade others who might follow in his footsteps."

US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland noted that the trial carried "enormous historical and legal significance" as it was "the first of a powerful head of state to be brought to judgment before an international tribunal on charges of mass atrocities and serious violations of international humanitarian law".

She said the successful completion of the Special Court for Sierra Leone's work "remains a top US government priority".