Liberia: UN uncovers 'opaque' Liberian mining deal

A United Nations panel in Liberia has uncovered details of a mining deal it says was signed in "extremely opaque" circumstances and which it says creates "a de facto monopoly over much of Liberia's diamond-producing regions" for 10 years, according to a panel member. A UN ban on trade in diamonds from Liberia has been enforced since 2001 and was last renewed in December for a further six months pending a review. The US has cautioned the UN Security Council against a premature lifting of sanctions.