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A welcome reception for the defeated candidate in last month's run-off election in Liberia, George Manneh Weah turned into violence Sunday when supporters and partisans of the Congress for Democratic Change went out of control, throwing stones and other objects at police officers and troops of the UN peacekeeping force in Liberia.

The showdown began minutes after Mr. Weah, a former UN good-will ambassador, addressed partisans and supporters at his party headquarters upon return from Ghana and South Africa where he claimed to have had fruitful discussions with Presidents Mbeki and Kuffour on issues relating to peace and stability in Liberia.

Late Sunday, several local and international news outlets had begun reporting that Weah told his supporters that he won the elections and is now the President-elect of Liberia. He charged that there was fraud aimed at putting former finance minister Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in power. “I am President of this country, whether you like it or not, it will not change. I told President Mbeki this. I repeat that I was cheated in the elections,” the former football star said. Weah denounced inauguration plans to swear in Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as president next January because he claimed that his complaint of fraud has not been fully addressed. "We are seeking justice and there cannot be peace without justice," Weah told his football fans, political allies and ex-combatants who are heavily backing him.

The crowd then turned into a mob and attacked five police officers, wounding one critically. UNMIL forces were immediately dispatched to back-up the police and protect peaceful citizens. CDC officials told reporters the police stormed their headquarters and provoked their partisans and supporters. The police had been sent in to disperse the crowd which had started making threats of attacking the city.

A  local newspaper reported that justice minister Kabineh Jenneh was attacked by individuals believed to be supporters of the CDC. Two of his official vehicle were vandalized in the attack. With the dispatch of UNMIL troops, the situation was swiftly brought under control. Security in Monrovia has now been placed on extreme alert with UN helicopter patrolling from the skies overlooking the city, especially the movement of CDC supporters.

George Weah's pronouncement came just 24 hours after the transitional government announced  it had uncovered a plot by certain individuals to destabilize the security of the state. Security officials said investigations are ongoing and a junior cabinet minister is now a person of interest. The claimed to now be gathering evidence on suspected individuals. A linkage between George Weah's recent conduct and the security threat has not been established. But observers believe the CDC, under George Weah has now become a force to deal with. Some have pleaded with Weah to abandon the protest, join the new government in moveing the nation forward. Writes, Robert Sumo.