MONROVIA, Liberia ? Government officials and rebels signed a peace accord Monday to end a three-year insurgency that devastated Liberia, left thousands dead and drove out warlord-President Charles Taylor. “The war is over,” one rebel leader said.

Calm settled into Monrovia as shopkeepers opened for the first time in a month, though many residents and refugees who crowded the capital had little money with which to buy desperately needed food.

The accord, signed in Accra, Ghana, one week after Taylor’s flight into exile, calls for a two-year transition government meant to lead Liberia into elections — and out of 14 years of vicious warfare that left parts of virtually every city and town in this West African nation in ruins.

“I want to believe that with the signing of this agreement today, Liberia will never be plunged into another spiral of violence in the quest for political power, or under the false pretense of liberating the people,” said retired Nigerian Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, chief mediator in the 2 1/2 months of talks.

The two rebel movements — Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia — signed, along with representatives of Liberia’s post-Taylor government.

“Today is a good day. Today is a happy day. The war is over,” LURD leader Sekou Conneh declared, exchanging copies of the deal with his rebel and government counterparts, and embracing them.

The signing of the accord comes in a fast-paced week of momentous events in Liberia, beginning with Taylor’s resignation and Aug. 11 departure from Liberia under pressure from rebels, West African leaders and the United States.

Rebels on Thursday lifted their siege of Monrovia, allowing vital food and aid to flow.

Under Monday’s peace deal, rebels and government alike waive any claim on the top posts in the interim government — yielding control to non-combatants for the first stretch of rebuilding.

Rebels and members of Taylor’s ex-government will be allowed lower-ranking positions — seats in Cabinet and the legislature — in the interim government.

About 150 American forces are on the ground in Liberia.

Colonel Mac Nyoyoko, left, reaches agreement with General Sheriff, the Chief of Staff of LURD, the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy group. LURD on Monday handed over the Po River as part of a nationwide cease-fire.