SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES IN LIBERIA; RENEWS CALL FOR FORCE DEPLOYMENT TO RESTORE CALM

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES IN LIBERIA;

RENEWS CALL FOR FORCE DEPLOYMENT TO RESTORE CALM

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

The Secretary-General condemns the resumption of hostilities in Monrovia.  He calls on the parties concerned and, in particular, the Liberians United for Democracy and Reconciliation, to fully observe the ceasefire.

He strongly believes that the Liberian crisis cannot be solved by military confrontation.  Such confrontation can only lead to a further deterioration of an already dire humanitarian situation.  The Secretary-General reiterates that any attempt to seize power by force would be unacceptable to the international community.

He reminds all those who may be responsible for gross human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law that they will be held, individually and collectively, accountable for their actions.

He urges all the stakeholders at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)-led Liberian Peace Talks in Accra to ensure a speedy conclusion of a negotiated settlement.

The Secretary-General renews his call to ECOWAS to deploy without delay the proposed vanguard force to restore calm and security.  He urges the United States to spare no effort to support this deployment and to announce its own decision on the deployment of United States troops before it is too late.

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