New members of Liberian Government must be corruption-free, UN emphasizes

With Liberia currently in the process of selecting members of its transitional government and legislative assembly, the United Nations today underscored the need to choose honest and qualified professionals.

Those appointed or elected to the new government must be "individuals of high moral character and integrity, with untainted past records," the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) said in a statement released in Monrovia.

At the current critical juncture, "every effort should be made to ensure that all members of the new government are appointed or elected based upon their professional abilities, and are those who will place the interests of the people of Liberia ahead of any personal interests," UNMIL stressed.

The statement also pointed out that the UN Security Council as well as international donors are closely following developments in Liberia with a view to reinforcing support for its peace and reconstruction efforts. "Any setbacks at this early stage could adversely affect international commitment and future support," the Mission warned.