The United Nations has deployed peacekeepers to a northern Liberian town where sectarian violence has left at least three people dead and forced hundreds to flee.
Local government official George Tengbeh says the violence in Voinjama was sparked after unconfirmed rumors that a mosque had been attacked by residents in another town in the region.
He says Muslim residents in Voinjama went on a rampage Friday, burning down two churches, a clinic, shops and the mayor’s residence. Authorities imposed a daytime curfew.
U.N. spokeswoman Yasmina Bouziane could not confirm any casualties, but says U.N. extra U.N. troops were deployed to Voinjama to help quell the unrest.