Liberia clashes mar U.N. takeover

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MONROVIA, Liberia -- Shooting erupted between rebels and government soldiers in a suburb of Liberia's capital as rebel leader Sekou Conneh visited the city.

The clashes flared on Wednesday -- the same day that the United Nations took command of regional peacekeepers sent to try to end nearly 14 years of violence.

Witnesses told Reuters trouble began when civilians started throwing stones at Conneh's convoy as he headed toward a meeting with caretaker President Moses Blah.

Residents said it appeared that Conneh himself had been able to escape from the gunfire in the Paynseville suburb.

Associated Press journalists said they saw two dead in the firefight, which sent thousands of residents fleeing.

It was the worst clash in Monrovia since order was restored after pariah leader Charles Taylor flew into exile in August.

It was Conneh's first visit to Monrovia since the latest bout of civil war in the West African country blew up more than three years ago.

U.N. takes control

Nearly 3,500 West African troops will serve as peacekeepers under the U.N. Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which began Wednesday.

A further12,000 reinforcement troops will be dispersed throughout Liberia.

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved the year-long mission last month, which is mandated to monitor a cease-fire agreement between rebel groups and government forces.

UNMIL will also assist the transitional government in setting up a legal framework to allow for free and fair elections by October 2005.

The United States sent in about 200 troops to help quell the violence between rebel and government forces in Liberia that rekindled earlier this year.

Liberia's former president, Charles Taylor, left the country August 11, as demanded by U.S. President George Bush, clearing the way for U.S. troops to begin their humanitarian mission in earnest.

-- CNN's Jeff Koinange in Monrovia contributed to this report

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