SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY SECURITY, HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AT BORDERS BETWEEN GUINEA, LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED BY SECURITY, HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

AT BORDERS BETWEEN GUINEA, LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General continues to follow with concern the security and humanitarian situation at the borders between Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.  The recent escalation of fighting in Lofa County in northern Liberia, which has caused the displacement of several thousand civilians, underscores the need to address the underlying causes of this growing instability.

The Secretary-General believes that the best way to stem this instability is through dialogue.  He supports the recent call by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the three leaders of the Mano River Union countries to meet without further delay and devise ways to resolve the crisis peacefully.

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