US demands protection in Brazzaville

The American ambassador to the Republic of Congo has complained that the authorities are not providing protection for the embassy.

The ambassador, Audrey Hooks, told the Associated Press news agency that if the government in Brazzaville did not take immediate steps it would be taken as an insult.

The embassy was ransacked -- along with most other foreign missions -- during the four-month civil war which ended with the takeover by Denis Sassou-Nguesso in October.

Correspondents say violence has continued on the streets.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service