SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SIGNING OF CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT

BY LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT, OPPOSITION GROUPS

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the signing on 17 June 2003 of a ceasefire agreement by the Government of Liberia, the “Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy” (LURD) and the “Movement for Democracy in Liberia” (MODEL).  He views this development as an important step forward in efforts to bring the conflict in Liberia to a negotiated end.

The Secretary-General commends the Liberian parties for their sense of compromise in the national interest of peace in their country and urges them to scrupulously adhere to the terms of the agreement.  He salutes the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in particular, and other international partners whose untiring support made this important achievement possible.  He pledges the renewed commitment of the United Nations to continue to work with the Government and people of Liberia, ECOWAS and the international community as a whole in the quest for sustainable peace and progress to Liberia.

The Secretary-General calls on the parties to the agreement to build on the momentum created by the cessation of hostilities to create propitious security conditions on the ground to permit the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in need throughout the country.  In this connection, he appeals to the international community to respond generously to the request for emergency relief assistance for Liberia.

* *** *