Security Council announces intention to extend Liberia sanctions

Reiterating "strong concern" at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Liberia and its effects on the West African sub-region, the United Nations Security Council today expressed its intention to renew the sanctions levied against Monrovia for another 12 months and to extend them to include a ban on timber exports.

The Council's President, Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan, announced the intention to extend the measures in a statement to the press following the 15-nation body's six-month review of the situation in Liberia. The Council also heard the report of its expert panel, which had just retuned from West Africa on a follow-up investigation of Liberia's compliance with the sanctions.

Council members today called on the Government of Liberia, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and all armed rebel groups to enter into ceasefire talks without preconditions and to allow free access for humanitarian agencies, said Ambassador Akram.

"Council members regretted that the Government of Liberia had not fully complied with the Council's demands in resolution 1343," he said, adding that they looked forward to the day when all the requirements in the resolutions are met and Liberia is no longer subject to sanctions.

"Council members hoped that their mission to West Africa later this month would offer new opportunities to make progress towards peace and stability in the sub-region," Ambassador Akram said.