The Liberian armed forces begas as the Liberian Frontier Force (LFF), which was formed in 1908. The LFF later evolved into the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). In 1984 the AFL included the Liberian National Guard Brigade and related units (6,300 men), and the Liberian National Coast Guard (about 450 men). The important LNG Brigade was based at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) in Monrovia, and composed of six infantry battalions, an engineer battalion, a field artillery battalion, and a support battalion. The AFL was essentially the personal army of President Doe during his reign. 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For alternate meanings, see Monrovia (disambiguation). ...

Immediately before Liberia's 1989-2003 civil war, the AFL consisted of around 6,000 soldiers. After the civil war, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Liberia disarmed and demobilised 103,000 people who claimed to have fought for former president Charles Taylor or the two rebel groups; Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL). The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established 14 September 1945 and now made up of 191 member states, which includes virtually all internationally recognized independent countries. ... Charles Taylor announces his resignation on Liberian TV, 2003 Charles Ghankay Taylor (born January 28, 1948) was the President of Liberia from 1997 to 2003. ...

In 2005, the United States provided funding for DynCorp International, a privately-owned security company, to train a new 4,000-man Liberian army. The new Liberian police force is due to reach its full strength of 3,500 officers in 2006. Once the Liberian army is operational, UNMIL will start winding down the strength of its 15,000 strong peacekeeping force. 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Military branches: Army, Air Force, Navy

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 729,469 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 393,028 (2002 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $7.8 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY01)

References and Links

• Liberia