Liberians attack Ghanaian police

Refugees fleeing conflict are in camps across West Africa

Thousands of Liberian refugees have fought with Ghanaian riot police in a camp near the capital, Accra, after officers refused to hand over a man who attempted to assault a refugee.

The attacker, believed to be a Ghanaian, was overpowered by his would-be victim, but the police intervened and placed the suspect in protective custody.

A police post was destroyed in the fighting.

Correspondents say there have been a number of reported attacks on refugees in the Buduburam camp, some of whom have suffered machete wounds.

Ethnic dimension

They say there is a growing belief among people in the camp that these attacks are ethnically motivated.

"Our people wanted the police to hand the man over to us so that we could deal with him," said Liberian Daniel Chea.

"These people have been attacking us because, we think, maybe they're tired of us and want us to leave," he said.

The Liberian civil war began 10 years ago and ended with elections in 1997, though security remains precarious, particularly in the north.

There are Liberian refugees across West Africa.