George Weah is all set to become Liberian President - after being endorsed by the country's premium warlord.

Prince Johnson has given his vote to the former AC Milan man, in what is seen as a crucial boost to the ex-Chelsea star's hopes of taking charge of his home country.

Former World Footballer of the Year Weah, 51, is involved in a run-off against current vice-president Joseph Boakai, scheduled for November 7.

Weah won 38.4 per cent of the vote in the first round earlier this month - more than anyone else

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However, that figure was shy of the 50.1 per cent necessary to win outright.

Johnson, who took more than eight per cent of first round votes, is seen as a crucial backer - having helped Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf get re-elected in 2011 - and puts pressure on Boakai to drum up support of his own against Weah.

"I am humbled to announce ... my full and unflinching support in collaboration with the Congress for Democratic Change party of Senator George Weah," Prince Johnson said at his Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction party headquarters.

George Weah speaks to journalists in Monrovia on Wednesday (
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Supporters of Weah react to Prince Johnson's endorsement (
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Prince Johnson...King Maker? (
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But Johnson's attempt at playing kingmaker has made many in Liberia uncomfortable, following his role in the country's civil war that ended in 2003.

Additionally, his troops took control of parts of the capital Monrovia in 1990, ousting former president Samuel Doe, and Johnson celebrated as the leader was executed.

"Johnson's backing will not win the vote alone for Weah, but it will certainly boost his prospects, especially as other candidates are also likely to throw their weight behind the opposition leader, sensing his momentum," said Roddy Barclay,director at risk-advisory firm Africa Practice.

A banner in support of George Weah and running mate, Jowel Howard Taylor (
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George Weah presented with the Ballon d'Or in 1996 (
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Weah lacks political nous but is widely-respected and in some parts of the country hero worshipped following his football career, starring in French football with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, and in Italy with AC Milan.

Weah won both the FIFA World Player of the Year award and the Ballon d'or in 1995, during his time with the Rossoneri.

He is also a three-time African Footballer of the Year and won the FA Cup during his time with Chelsea, for whom he scored five goals in 15 games.

His son, Timothy, is currently signed with PSG.

Weah during his time at Chelsea. (
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He also spent time with Manchester City (
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Earlier this month, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger congratulated Weah on already being named president.

The Gunners' chief - who worked with Weah during his time at Monaco - seemingly fell for false reports that Weah had already emerged successful.

"I would like to congratulate one of my former players, who became president of Liberia," the Frenchman said in his pre-Watford press conference on October 12.

"It is not often that you have a former player who becomes a president of a country.

"Well done George and I would say just for him to keep his enthusiasm and his desire to learn and to win."