SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ESTABLISHMENT, SWIFT DEPLOYMENT OF LIBERIA MULTINATIONAL FORCE

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES ESTABLISHMENT, SWIFT DEPLOYMENT

OF LIBERIA MULTINATIONAL FORCE

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the adoption on Friday by the Security Council of a resolution authorizing the establishment of a Multinational Force in Liberia.  He is pleased with the swift action taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Government of Nigeria, with the support of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, in deploying the vanguard elements of this Force within less than 72 hours after the Council’s action.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the Government of Liberia, as well as the rebel forces, to cease hostilities immediately and to cooperate with the deployment of the West African peacekeepers and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.  He also, once again, urges all the Liberian parties engaged in the ongoing negotiations in Accra to expedite the conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement, which should facilitate a smooth transition to a new government.

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