MONROVIA, Feb 27 (Reuters) - United Nations and Liberian police shot into the air and used tear gas to disperse angry mobs in a central Liberian town on Friday, U.N. and local officials said.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Gbarnga, 156 miles (250 km), north of Monrovia, after crowds rioted over the suspicious death of a local, blocking roads and torching a police station, a Liberian policeman told local radio.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission that is helping the country recover from years of war and chaos confirmed the incident.
"The Liberian National Police and the Nigerian (U.N.) police used tear gas to disburse the demonstrators. Warning shots were fired in the air," said U.N. spokeswoman Maimouna Milles.
"The situation was tense but is now calm," she added, saying that at least 60 people had been arrested.
Witnesses said the demonstration was led by motorcycle taxi drivers who became angry after a colleague was found dead on Friday in the town.
(Reporting by Alphonso Toweh; Writing by David Lewis; Editing by Louise Ireland)