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New Liberia police get first guns | New Liberia police get first guns |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Liberia's police, who have been unarmed for three years, are being allowed to carry weapons again. | Liberia's police, who have been unarmed for three years, are being allowed to carry weapons again. |
They were disarmed under a 2003 peace deal to end 14 years of civil war. | They were disarmed under a 2003 peace deal to end 14 years of civil war. |
But earlier this year a UN arms embargo was eased and Nigeria has donated weapons and ammunition for initial use by some 300 elite UN-trained officers. | But earlier this year a UN arms embargo was eased and Nigeria has donated weapons and ammunition for initial use by some 300 elite UN-trained officers. |
The BBC's Ledgerhood Rennie says the move is being welcomed by the police who have often found themselves helpless in the face of criminal gangs. | The BBC's Ledgerhood Rennie says the move is being welcomed by the police who have often found themselves helpless in the face of criminal gangs. |
As a consequence police relations with the public are frosty, he says. | As a consequence police relations with the public are frosty, he says. |
'Frightened' | 'Frightened' |
Earlier this year, the government admitted the police could not cope with the wave of armed robberies and asked people to form vigilante groups to stop the criminals. | Earlier this year, the government admitted the police could not cope with the wave of armed robberies and asked people to form vigilante groups to stop the criminals. |
There should be strong regulatory procedures so arms can be accounted for Monrovia resident Should the police be armed? | |
Many gang members are believed to be ex-fighters who participated in the war. | Many gang members are believed to be ex-fighters who participated in the war. |
"I think the police will be able to help minimise the crime rate if they are armed. Criminals will be frightened," said a man in response to the move. | "I think the police will be able to help minimise the crime rate if they are armed. Criminals will be frightened," said a man in response to the move. |
Another added that it was a good idea but "there should be strong regulatory procedures so arms can be accounted for". | Another added that it was a good idea but "there should be strong regulatory procedures so arms can be accounted for". |
Some 15,000 United Nation peacekeepers are in the country to ensure security and help train the new security forces. | Some 15,000 United Nation peacekeepers are in the country to ensure security and help train the new security forces. |
A massive disarmament and retraining exercise was started to help some 60,000 ex-combatants but many dropped out amid funding problems. | A massive disarmament and retraining exercise was started to help some 60,000 ex-combatants but many dropped out amid funding problems. |
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