The first British paratroopers who will be spearheading the evacuation of EU and Commonwealth citizens from Sierra Leone have begun moving out of the country's principal airport and taking up positions in the capital, Freetown. Britain is also sending an aircraft carrier to join five other warships already in the region.
The decision to evacuate foreigners follows a worsening of the situation in the country; four people were killed during a demonstration outside the Freetown home of the rebel leader, Foday Sankoh. International concern over Sierra Leone has intensified in the past few days after rebels killed four UN peacekeepers and took hundreds of others hostage.
