Annan, Security Council hail decisions adopted at Mano River Union summit

Welcoming yesterday’s summit meeting of the Mano River Union countries, the members of the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday hailed the decisions adopted by the leaders of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The Secretary-General “commends the three leaders for their renewed commitment to peace and security and for the practical steps they have pledged to take to that end,” a spokesperson for Mr. Annan said in a statement issued late Thursday. “The United Nations stands ready to help.”

The statement also said the Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco “for the timely good offices role he has played and will continue to play in the future for the cause of peace and stability in the Mano River Union sub-region.”

Council President Ambassador Adolfo Aguilar Zinser of Mexico said in a press statement that the 15-member body encouraged the parties to put their decisions into action as soon as possible and “also congratulated those who had facilitated this long due summit meeting, particularly the Kingdom of Morocco.”

Earlier Thursday, the Council held a private meeting to review its work during the month of February under the presidency of Mexico.