Mass break-out from Liberia jail

UN peacekeepers provide much of the country's security

More than 100 inmates have escaped from Liberia's only maximum security prison in the capital, Monrovia.

Officials at the South Beach compound in Monrovia say the prisoners hurled stones and bottles at guards.

They then forced open the main gates to make their escape. About 30 prisoners have been found so far.

The prison, which holds nearly 1,000 inmates, is guarded by unarmed police along with personnel from the United Nations peacekeeping force.

Liberia is recovering from a 14-year civil war which ended in 2003.

The BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh in Monrovia says the escapees are mainly suspected armed robbers who had been charged and were waiting for a court appearance.

They had warned prison guards earlier on Monday that if they were not taken to court, they did not intended to spend Christmas behind bars.

Our reporter says the jailbreak is a blow to Liberia's quest to rid the post-war crime and insecurity.