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Liberia: Annan recommends 1-year extension for UN peace-building office

Liberia: Annan recommends 1-year extension for UN peace-building office

With Liberia was still going through a difficult political, security and humanitarian crisis, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended extending the mandate of the United Nations peace-building office in that country by an additional year, until 31 December 2003.

In an exchange of letters with the President of the Security Council, the Secretary-General says that despite its limited mandate and capacity, “the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Liberia (UNOL) continues to contribute to national efforts at reconciliation, while at the same time monitoring developments and assisting in the promotion of respect for human rights and the rule of law.”

The Secretary-General said UNOL has been keeping him and the Council informed about the evolving situation in Liberia and that the Office has been providing a useful link between the country and the international community, especially since sanctions were imposed.

Mr. Annan said, however, that if the Council decided on a different engagement in Liberia, he would submit to it a revised mandate for UNOL.