PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON SIERRA LEONE

PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON SIERRA LEONE

Following is the press statement on Sierra Leone delivered by Security Council President Heraldo Muñoz (Chile):

Council members heard an update from Assistant Secretary-General Annabi on developments since the Secretary-General’s latest report on the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).

Council members welcomed the Secretary-General’s intention to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the security situation in Sierra Leone as well as the progress made in the implementation of the benchmarks.  Council members look forward to the Secretary-General’s recommendations on this in March.

Council members reiterated the importance of strengthening the Sierra Leone army and police and urged the Government of Sierra Leone and donors to work together.  They also encouraged the Government to continue its efforts to stop illicit diamond mining and smuggling.

Council members welcomed the Secretary-General’s intention to provide support to the local elections in Sierra Leone in 2004 through UNAMSIL.

Council members also welcomed the cooperation between UNAMSIL and other United Nations missions in West Africa and encouraged this to continue.

Council members welcomed the Secretary-General’s new Special Representative for Sierra Leone, Daudi Ngelautwa Mwakawago, and wished him every success in his new position.

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