Bockarie: reported to be in Ivory Coast

Mosquito was given refuge in Liberia a year ago after clashing with the founder of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels, Foday Sankoh.

Bockarie's departure is seen as part of the Liberian government's attempt to disengage from the Sierra Leonean conflict in order to improve its international image.

Second time

Liberia announced in January that Bockarie had left the country, but retracted the statement after it was unable to find a third country to take him.

Sources at the Liberian immigration bureau have said that Bockarie has gone to neighbouring Ivory Coast.

Liberia currently faces the threat of United Nations sanctions for its involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war.

A UN report says Liberia is taking diamonds mined in rebel-held areas and helping to arm the RUF.

The Liberia government has stressed that it is willing to co-operate with the UN.