PRESS STATEMENT ON LIBERIA BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON LIBERIA BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

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

The members of the Security Council carried out a review of the measures on Liberia pursuant to resolution 1478 (2003) bearing in mind recent developments.

The members of the Security Council were briefed by the Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1343 (2001) concerning Liberia about the discussions in the Committee on the recent report of the Panel of Experts on Liberia.

There was a general agreement among the members of the Security Council that the measures concerning Liberia be continued for the time being.  The objective of these measures would continue to be to support the peace process in Liberia and to further consolidate peace and stability in the subregion.

Bearing in mind the changed circumstances and recent positive developments in Liberia, the members of the Security Council agreed that there was a need, inter alia, to redefine the legal basis for the sanctions and to evolve appropriate criteria for their eventual lifting.

The members of the Security Council agreed that the Council would be taking the necessary decisions in that regard shortly.

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