THE HAGUE Former Liberian President Charles Taylor boycotted the landmark first international war crimes trial of a former African leader yesterday. His lawyer also walked out.

Karim Khan said Taylor had sacked him and wanted to act in his own defence. Khan then left even though the presiding judge repeatedly directed him to continue to represent Taylor, if only for the opening day.

The court ordered the trial to continue and chief prosecutor Stephen Rapp began by outlining the horrors inflicted on Sierra Leone villagers by forces allegedly under Taylor's control during a 10-year civil war.

The attackers would randomly murder people and enslave others to use as fighters, miners and farmers, Rapp said.

Then "the attackers would mutilate; amputating arms, limbs, gouging eyes. Children conscripted by the attackers killing their own parents."

Taylor, 59, has denied 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

He was not in court. In a letter read out by Khan, Taylor claimed he had been prevented from seeing a court official charged with ensuring he is properly defended and that his one court-appointed lawyer was heavily outgunned by the prosecution team of nine.

"At one time I had confidence in this court's ability to dispense justice. Over time, it has become clear that confidence has been misplaced," Taylor's statement said. "I will not receive a fair trial."

Rapp, however, said Taylor was receiving more money for his defence - up to £1m - than any other suspect charged by the court.

Taylor was indicted in 2003, accused of sponsoring Sierra Leone's rebel Revolutionary United Front in exchange for diamonds. Taylor agreed to give up power and go into exile, but he was arrested in Nigeria in March 2006.

He was transferred to The Hague a year ago amid fears his trial in Sierra Leone could trigger fresh violence.

The trial, which is expected to last 18 months, continues on June 25.-AP