SC/7505

                                                            AFR/484

                                                            18 September 2002

PRESS STATEMENT ON SIERRA LEONE BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is today’s press statement on Sierra Leone by the President of the Security Council, Stefan Tafrov (Bulgaria):

Council members discussed the situation in Sierra Leone and the Secretary- General’s latest report on the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).  They discussed the ongoing challenges in consolidating peace and stability in Sierra Leone, particularly strengthening the security sector, and agreed that the Government of Sierra Leone and the international community must use the opportunity offered by the continuing security umbrella of UNAMSIL to make progress on these.

They noted the Secretary General’s proposals for adjustments to UNAMSIL’s size and composition, and expressed their intention to respond to these in a resolution renewing UNAMSIL’s mandate.

The members of the Council appeal to the donor community to continue providing financial assistance to Sierra Leone.

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