Rebels Begin Handing Weapons to U.N. Troops

LIBERIA

United Nations peacekeepers in Liberia have begun disarming rebel fighters in their remote northern stronghold of Lofa County, the force's deputy commander said.

About 200 fighters laid down their guns on the first day of the program in the main town of Voinjama, where the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy has its main base. U.N. troops have disarmed about 62,000 fighters elsewhere in line with a peace agreement signed in August 2003.