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MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) - The Liberian government said Saturday it had lifted a six-year moratorium on the diamond trade, put in place after former President Charles Taylor was accused of using "blood diamonds" to fuel civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy Minister Kpandeh Fayia told The Associated Press that "as of Monday, people can start applying for mining, selling and broker licenses" for diamonds.
The United Nations imposed sanctions on Liberia's diamonds in May 2001 and, to comply with the sanctions, the Liberian government placed a moratorium on all mining.
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