Monrovia — The Liberian government called Sunday for the use of "maximum force" against armed crime after two separate incidents in which a Belgian employee of the Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC) was shot dead, and the occupants of a car delivering U.S. $150,000 to the LAC were robbed at gunpoint.

Government spokesperson Gabriel Williams told reporters at a news conference that the Belgian national, Bruneo Michael, was attacked by unknown assailants while surveying land for the company's planned expansion. According to Williams, "three main suspects have been arrested."

Williams told reporters three suspects were also being detained for the armed robbery. He said the robbery might be connected to the murder, but investigations are still underway.

The make and origin of the weapons used in both incidents is unclear. According to Williams, one of the robbery suspects spoke little English and was likely French-speaking.

Williams announced that the United Nations Mission in Liberia (Unmil) forces and the Liberian national police will use "maximum force" against armed robbery, and that crimes involving arms would carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The Belgian-owned LAC - the second largest rubber plantation in Liberia – has faced criticism from some members of the local community in Grand Bassa county for its recent expansion plans, which included the relocation of some residents. The LAC signed an agreement for the expansion plans with the government last week.