Liberia's two rebel groups said today they wanted the head of a transitional government appointed in October to quit, before they would start to disarm their fighters in line with a peace deal.
In a joint statement, the two rebel factions known as LURD and Model accused the chairman of the interim government, Mr Gyude Bryant, of lack of transparency and confusion in the way his administration in the West African country is run.
Nearly 500 Irish troops, including members of the army's elite Ranger wing, have been stationed in Liberia on UN peace-keeping duties since November.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, is to travel to the country later this month to inspect the troops.
