Taylor to address the court in ‘blood diamond’ case

It is his last chance to speak at the tribunal in The Hague before being sentenced on 30 May.

The prosecution will press its case for an 80-year prison term, which the defence has dismissed as excessive.

Taylor was convicted of arming rebels in Sierra Leone during its civil war and helping to plan atrocities. He has been also been found guilty on 11 counts, including rape and murder.

However, the defendant believes many Western and African leaders have conspired against him a BBC correspondent said those leaders will be watching his speech with trepidation.

From the outset of the trial, Taylor has insisted he is innocent of all charges.

The defence team said their client should not be made to shoulder the blame alone for what happened in Sierra Leone's war, and that an 80-year sentence is excessive.

During the 1991-2002 Sierra Leone civil war, Taylor - who was president of neighbouring Liberia - supported Revolutionary United Front rebels who killed tens of thousands of people.

The war crimes included murder, rape, the use of child soldiers and the amputation of limbs.

In return, he received "blood diamonds".

Taylor is widely expected to appeal against any prison sentence and the hearing could continue for several more months.

Under a special arrangement with the international court, any prison term Taylor does receives will be served in Britain.