New Liberia police get first guns

The police have struggled to contain a wave of armed robbery

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.

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.

As a consequence police relations with the public are frosty, he says.

'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.

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.

"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".

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.