UN peacekeeping troops from China on Thursday in Lagos donated some 500 pieces of stationery and education materials to Liberian schools, said reports reaching here from the Liberian capital of Monrovia.

Doe Sumah, an official from the education ministry, thanked the Chinese peacekeepers, saying "they not only help rebuild peace in the country ... what they did also shows a real concern for Liberia's future."

"We are deeply touched," said the official.

The 14-year war in Liberia caused tremendous damage to education in the western African nation. Many schools have since been forced to shut due to a lack of qualified teachers and education facilities.

Source: Xinhua