MONROVIA, Feb. 13 -- Liberia's defense minister, Maj. Gen. Prince Charles Johnson, has resigned his position, citing the civil and political disobediences occasioned by the protests of women believed to be wives of the men in arms.

By Selma Lomax & Jahiem T. Tumu

Maj. Gen. Johnson said he took the decision to preserve the peace and security of the country.

The protests staged by the wives and widows of AFL personnel reportedly forced President Joseph Boakai to cancel the celebrations of the Armed Forces Day on Monday in an apparent attempt to calm the situation.

Since his elevation as minister of defense, a string of protests have trailed Maj. Gen. Johnson's appointment by President Boakai, with the latest being the blocking of the Ro...