Liberia disarmament 'too popular'

Scenes of jubilation were reported at the camps

The United Nations has ordered a pause in the Liberian disarmament process after more fighters wanted to hand in their weapons than was anticipated.

More than 9,000 former fighters turned up at the Schieffelin military barracks, 25km east of the capital.

The camp, which was designed to hold 1,000, has been overwhelmed and the UN says it will stop taking in the former combatants until 20 January.

A UN spokeswoman said they could then return to finish off demobilising.

The UN mission in neighbouring Sierra Leone, which successfully oversaw a disarmament process of its own, warned on Monday, that they were receiving reports that Liberian rebels are smuggling weapons over the border.

They have reinforced their presence along the border.

Plan

The UN disarmament programme is designed to rehabilitate an estimated 40,000 fighters.

Fighters will receive $300 each for laying down their arms.

Under the UN plan, fighters should surrender their weapons and start to receive food rations, counselling and education.

Interim leader Gyude Bryant has inherited many problems

The first $150 was to have been paid at the end of a three-week demobilisation programme, with the second $150 being handed over when fighters return to their communities.

But last week saw the worst violence since the UN peacekeepers arrived in August.

Three days of clashes reportedly pitted UN troops against militiamen demanding immediate payment for giving up their guns.

The fighting stopped after the UN agreed to pay militiamen an initial $75 and some 900 soldiers went to the disarmament camp.