Liberia protesters clash with police at rally over economy, graft

Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police in Liberia's capital Monrovia on Wednesday during a march against corruption and economic mismanagement under former footballer turned president George Weah.

Police fired tear gas to stop the demonstrators from approaching the parliament building in Monrovia, an AFP reporter at the scene said, while protesters threw stones and bottles at officers.

The protesters -- in the second major rally since thousands gathered on June 7 -- called on the government to improve living conditions amid spiralling inflation.

Police arrested at least five protesters.

Later on, additional clashes broke out when it appeared that an opposition candidate was on track to win a senatorial by-election in Montserrado county, which includes Monrovia.

Based on the results from half of the polling stations, Darius Dillon, the candidate for the opposition Liberty Party, won nearly 54 per cent of the votes, while Paulita Wie, the candidate from President George Weah's ...