Czech Republic's representative office in Congo looted in property dispute

The Czech Republic's representative office in Congo was looted on Friday in what is believed to be a private dispute over the building. According to the CTK press agency several dozen people forced their way into the building, destroying or taking away equipment. The looting ended after an hour or so with the arrival of the police. None of the office employees were harmed. Foreign Ministry sokeswoman Zuzana Opletalova said the looting had no direct connection with the Czech Republic. It was sparked by a lawsuit over the building in which the Czech office rents a number of rooms. Prague has filed an official protest note to the Embassy of Congo in the Czech Republic and the Foreign Ministry is considering moving the country's representative office elsewhere.