Deputy Force Commander Joseph Owonibi placed UNMIL's strength at 60 percent of authorized strength, with about 75 percent by the end of January and that all of the troops would be in the country by the end of February. At full strength, UNMIL will muster 15,000 peacekeepers, making it the largest UN peacekeeping mission in the world. The UN took over peacekeeping operations in Liberia October 1, 2003, but the arrival of the troops have been very slow. UNMIL authorities attributed the slow deployment to negotiations with contributing countries. 

The United Nations said that it was reassessing the way it would conduct its planned disarmament program in Liberia. UNMIL started to disarm fighters loyal to former president Charles Taylor at a barracks near Monrovia on 7 December, but was forced to abandon the exercise 10 days later after former combatants rioted in the city to demand cash for handing in their guns. At least nine people were killed during three days of disorder and looting. UNMIL subsequently agreed to pay former fighters a $75 advance on their $300 rehabilitation allowance as they surrendered their weapons, but the demobilization camp then found it overwhelmed by people rushing to hand in guns and claim the cash.

Three journalists who had gone to the UN offices to cover the weekly briefing session on the missions operations were apprehended and assaulted by an unidentified UNMIL security officer. That particular security officer was know for bullying journalists in the past.

Meanwhile, the State Department urged Americans to avoid traveling to Liberia, citing the lack of an effective police force and delays in the full deployment of a UN peacekeeping unit. - Adam Geibel