UN peacekeepers crack down on protest in Liberia

Monrovia (Liberia): Civilian employees of the United Nations Mission in Liberia have clashed with the United Nations armed peacekeepers in a protest over what they claim are unfavourable work conditions. An Associated Press reporter saw four UN workers manhandled by UN troops, including one who was knocked down, after the workers tried to block the main entrance to the UN base yesterday. The workers are protesting a change in the time they are picked up for work. They claim the UN is asking them to be outside for pickup by 5 am, a time they say is unsafe in this war-recovering capital.

A UN officer commanding the troops declined to comment. The UN mission was established in 2003, just after ex-warlord Charles Taylor stepped down as president and went into exile.