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Liberian Minister Confirmed Shot Dead
Liberian Minister of Youth and Sports Francois Massaquoi has been confirmed dead, according to reports reaching in Nairobi Tuesday.
The Liberian government said in a statement that Massaquoi was killed when his helicopter came under attack near the troubled northern border in the west African country.
The minister was reportedly bringing humanitarian supplies Monday to the northern town of Voinjama, near the border with Guinea, when dissident forces opened fire on the civilian helicopter in which he was traveling as it attempted to land.
The helicopter managed to escape, but Massaquoi was shot and died shortly after arrival at a nearest hospital.
Hostilities broke out late last year along the borders shared by Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Liberia accuses Guinea of backing dissident forces which are fighting government troops in the north of its territory. Guinea in turn accuses Liberia of backing Sierra Leonean rebels who have launched cross-border attacks along its southern border.
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