Iron ore deal 'bad for Liberia'

Global Witness Director Patrick Alley told the BBC's Network Africa programme that this put Liberia in a strong position to negotiate a better deal.

Under the contract, Mittal will be able to opt out of Liberian laws governing human rights or environmental standards and they will pay no tax for five years, in a deal which appears to be renewable by them.

When they do finally pay tax, it will be at a price set by them.

"There is no guarantee for the Liberian government of how much money they will actually receive," Mr Alley said.