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Liberia election: CDC Monrovia protest turns deadly Liberia election: CDC Monrovia protest turns deadly
(40 minutes later)
At least one person has died after shots were reportedly fired during an opposition protest in Monrovia ahead of Liberia's presidential run-off.At least one person has died after shots were reportedly fired during an opposition protest in Monrovia ahead of Liberia's presidential run-off.
A BBC reporter saw the body of a young man who had been shot in the head.A BBC reporter saw the body of a young man who had been shot in the head.
Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) candidate Winston Tubman has pulled out of Tuesday's vote, alleging fraud.Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) candidate Winston Tubman has pulled out of Tuesday's vote, alleging fraud.
Nobel Peace laureate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's Africa's first elected female head of state, is running for another term.Nobel Peace laureate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's Africa's first elected female head of state, is running for another term.
She was first elected after Liberia's first post-war election in 2005.She was first elected after Liberia's first post-war election in 2005.
These are the first elections organised by Liberians since the 14-year conflict ended. The previous ones were run by the large UN peacekeeping mission.These are the first elections organised by Liberians since the 14-year conflict ended. The previous ones were run by the large UN peacekeeping mission.
Justice Minister Christiana Tah told the BBC that security would be stepped up for the elections following the violence and that an investigation would be opened.
She could not confirm the number of casualties. Some CDC officials say four people died.
The rioting broke out after thousands of CDC supporters gathered outside party headquarters to urge voters to boycott Tuesday's poll.The rioting broke out after thousands of CDC supporters gathered outside party headquarters to urge voters to boycott Tuesday's poll.
Police, backed by UN forces, reportedly blocked a road to prevent the CDC activists from marching through the city, before the shooting and stone-throwing broke out.Police, backed by UN forces, reportedly blocked a road to prevent the CDC activists from marching through the city, before the shooting and stone-throwing broke out.
Opposition activists are said to have exchanged fire with the police, who also used tear gas.Opposition activists are said to have exchanged fire with the police, who also used tear gas.
As well as the dead man, the BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh, in Monrovia, also saw three or four other injured people who said they had been shot.As well as the dead man, the BBC's Jonathan Paye-Layleh, in Monrovia, also saw three or four other injured people who said they had been shot.
There are unconfirmed reports of further deaths. Mr Tubman's running mate, former football star George Weah, condemned the shooting of "unarmed protesters" and called for the elections to be postponed.
Mr Tubman's running mate, former football star George Weah, condemned the shooting of "unarmed protesters" and called for the elections to be postponed, as well as an investigation.
The authorities have denied using live rounds.The authorities have denied using live rounds.
President Sirleaf won the first round last month but failed to pass the 50% threshold needed for outright victory.President Sirleaf won the first round last month but failed to pass the 50% threshold needed for outright victory.
Mr Tubman and the CDC say there was widespread vote-rigging - charges denied by the election commission and Mrs Sirleaf's supporters.Mr Tubman and the CDC say there was widespread vote-rigging - charges denied by the election commission and Mrs Sirleaf's supporters.
The US, EU and African Union have all condemned the opposition's decision to pull out of the run-off.The US, EU and African Union have all condemned the opposition's decision to pull out of the run-off.
"It's a bad signal... political leaders must be prepared to win or lose," said former Ugandan Vice-President and head of the African Union observer mission Speciosa Wadira Kazibwe, according to the AFP news agency."It's a bad signal... political leaders must be prepared to win or lose," said former Ugandan Vice-President and head of the African Union observer mission Speciosa Wadira Kazibwe, according to the AFP news agency.
Prince Johnson, a former warlord who came third in the first round, has backed Mrs Sirleaf in the run-off.Prince Johnson, a former warlord who came third in the first round, has backed Mrs Sirleaf in the run-off.
While campaigning on Sunday, Mrs Sirleaf said: "I know that nobody in this country, no matter what the talk or rhetoric, nobody really wants us to go back to war."While campaigning on Sunday, Mrs Sirleaf said: "I know that nobody in this country, no matter what the talk or rhetoric, nobody really wants us to go back to war."