Liberia: Pro Government Groups Told To Stop Us Embassy Protest

Liberian lawmakers have ordered pro-government groups to abandon plans to protest in front of the U-S Embassy, where a former warlord has taken refuge since weekend gun battles.

Fifteen civic groups had planned to march to the embassy compound on the western edge of the city center to protest at the presence of former rebel leader Roosevelt Johnson in the embassy.

Despite the government request, some groups still threaten to march on the embassy.

Dozens of people died during the two-day clashes involving forces loyal to President Charles Taylor and supporters of Johnson - the president's chief rival.

Roosevelt Johnson turned up at the U-S Embassy on Saturday, but was fired on by Liberian forces as he spoke with embassy officials outside the gate.

Three days later embassy employees began working in the rain to stack sandbags on the roof, setting up nests where troops could be posted.