Liberians flock to polling stations on Tuesday to choose a president and legislators in the first election since the end of a bloody civil war in 2003, hoping to restore peace and jump-start development in a country that ought to be Africa's gem.

Former international soccer star George Weah, former World Bank economist Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, lawyer Varney Sherman and former senator Charles Walter Brumskine, are among 22 candidates vying for the top post of the west African country rich in diamond, gold, timber, iron ore and rubber as well as fertile soil.

Women and men, the young and the old queued outside polling stations across the west African country as early as 4 a.m. (0400 GMT). Many walked miles, carrying along food, water, chairs and umbrellas.

Weah, dressed in white suit, with his wife and mother appeared around 9 a.m. (0900 GMT) at a high school polling station on the outskirts of the capital Monrovia, surrounded by dozens of local and foreign journalists.

"I feel great and relaxed today," said Weah. "I hope this election will be an example of lasting peace for Liberia, and we' ve got to move forward to assure the rest of the world, there's peace in Liberia, after 14 years of devastation."

After his wife voted, at around 9:40 a.m. (0940 GMT), Weah cast his ballot in another polling booth. After voting, he called for a fair and transparent election, pointing out there were no monitors from his party at several polling centers.

Weah, 39, born in a slum in Monrovia, is widely considered the best African football player of all time. In 1995, he earned FIFA World Player of the Year, becoming the only African to have won the coveted title, and also European Footballer of the Year as well as African Footballer of the Year.

To many Liberians and other Africans, Weah is a great symbol of African pride and achievements, whose symbolism lies in the essential fact that Africans in general, and Liberians in particular, can excel in a sphere much more worthy and noble than self-destruction.

Weah's major challenger, 66-year-old Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, nicknamed Iron Lady, cast her vote at a polling center earlier in her hometown, Tubmanburg, about an hour's drive from the capital Monrovia.

"I am confident that I will win. But if I don't, I will accept and respect the Liberian people's decision," she said.

Johnson-Sirleaf described the elections as a "turning point" in Liberia's history. "Finally, the people have an opportunity in an environment in which they can exercise their choice. Finally they feel peaceful, feel good about their country."

HISTORY BE MADE

Either Weah or Johnson-Sirleaf could make history if they win. Weah, who didn't complete high school, would be the first African to swap soccer field for presidential palace, while Harvard- trained Johnson-Sirleaf would be the continent's first elected female head of state.

But they are running neck and neck and, analysts predict, may have to enter the second round in early November since the winner must secure more than 50 percent votes in the first round.

All the presidential candidates promised they would restore electricity, running water and schools, build roads, and attract foreign investors during their campaign, but none of them elaborated on how they would make good on their promises.

About 1.3 million registered voters were expected to cast ballots at 3,070 polling stations in schools and municipal buildings to elect a president and 94 legislators from among 718 legislative candidates. The polling stations are due to close at 6 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Results are expected within 15 days.

A presidential candidate with 50 percent plus one vote would be declared winner, if not, there would be a run-off within three weeks to include the two candidates with the highest number of votes.

Founded in 1847 by freed slaves from the United States, Liberia is one of the world's poorest nations today. Its 3 million people can expect to live an average 47.7 years and survive on average 150 US dollars per year. About 80 percent of Liberia's population are still illiterate and a similar percentage unemployed.

Source: Xinhua