President Charles Ghankay Taylor who is on a peace mission in Paris, France has been celebrating his 55th birth anniversary with members of his delegation and foreign staff in Europe

President Charles Ghankay Taylor who is on a peace mission in Paris, France has been celebrating his 55th birth anniversary with members of his delegation and foreign staff in Europe.

In proffering a toast on this auspicious occasion, Information Minister Reginald Goodridge described President Taylor as a "role model" for all Liberians and wished that God continued to guide and protect him in leading the Liberian ship of state.

The Liberian leader who last Friday arrived in Paris to participate in the just ended peace talks on Ivory Coast could not celebrate his birthday in Liberia on January 28 because of the conference.

In response, President Taylor reflected on the need for unity, peace and stability in Liberia. He expressed regrets that some Liberians have taken up arms against "their own brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers" under the smokescreen of seeking democracy.

He also called on other Liberians in the diaspora to return home and contribute their quotas to national development.

Among those who attended the President's modest birthday celebration in Paris were Liberia's Ambassadors to Italy and Germany, Lilly Behnard and Michael Thomas respectively.

Also attending the celebration were special Presidential envoys Ali Ghavami and Winifred Gibson.

Earlier, on Monday President Taylor held a news conference during which he extolled the Ivorian peace agreement.