Jefferson Koijee, secretary general of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change, told reporters: "This man has said many times that the peace of this country is above his own."

But Mr Koijee ruled out the possibility of defeat for Mr Weah, a 57-year-old former football star.

Election officials said the turnout for Liberia's fourth post-war was high.

Votes continue to be counted - the electoral commission will begin to release the results at 16:30 local time (17:30 BST).

Mr Weah is expected to face his strongest challenge from former Vice-President Joseph Boakai, 78, of the Unite Party. Mr Boakai was deputy to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf when she was president.