World in brief: Bush promises help rebuilding

President Bush offered encouragement and help Thursday to lift this shattered country from years of ruinous fighting as he concluded a tour of Africa and turned toward other global problems.

In Liberia, the final stop on Bush’s five-country trip, almost nothing works, and people are nervous about their future in the aftermath of a 14-year civil war that ended in 2003.

The country is overrun with weapons, malnutrition is pervasive, half of children are not in school, and many buildings are uninhabitable. There is little running water or electricity and no sewage or landline phone system.

“It’s easier to tear a country down than it is to rebuild a country,” Bush said. “And the people of this good country must understand the United States will stand with you as you rebuild your country.”

Though Bush’s entourage was a bit jittery about his seven-hour stopover, Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, declared at one point, “You’re safe.”

Beijing

Officials pledge storm damage aid

China will spend $9 billion to help farmers hit by brutal January snowstorms recover for spring planting, a state news agency said today.

The money is meant for agricultural goods and grain subsidies, the Xinhua News Agency said, citing the Finance Ministry.

Storms that began Jan. 10 and covered much of China’s south wrecked thousands of acres of crops, killed 69 million farm animals and destroyed greenhouses and other farm equipment.

Lima, Peru

Machu Picchu routes blocked

Protesters piled rocks and trees onto roads on Thursday and forced the closure of a tourist train to the famed ruins of Machu Picchu to demand Peru scrap two new laws allowing more development near archaeological and historic sites.

Police were escorting tourists along the streets of the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco and working to clear roadblocks, police chief Mauro Medina told reporters. He said officers fired tear gas at about 200 protesters who stormed Cuzco’s airport, which authorities shut down hours earlier as a precaution.

PeruRail, which operates the only train line to Machu Picchu – Peru’s top tourist destination – announced the suspension of service for the duration of the 48-hour protest.

Lawmakers last week ratified the disputed laws – originally approved late last year – which will permit the construction of new hotels and restaurants near archaeological and historic sites.