UN: All Liberians must cease hostilities at once

With peacekeepers’ arrival, all Liberians must cease hostilities at once – Annan

Pleased with the speedy deployment of a vanguard West African peacekeeping force in Liberia less than three days after its authorization by the United Nations Security Council, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has called on all parties in the country to cease hostilities at once and work for a comprehensive peace accord.

The Secretary-General “is pleased with the swift action taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Government of Nigeria, with the support of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone, in deploying the vanguard elements of this force within less than seventy-two hours after the Council’s action,” said a statement issued Monday evening by a UN spokesman in New York.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the Government of Liberia, as well as the rebel forces, to cease hostilities immediately and to cooperate with the deployment of the West African peacekeepers and the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the statement added.

“He also, once again, urges all the Liberian parties engaged in the ongoing negotiations in Accra [Ghana] to expedite the conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement, which should facilitate a smooth transition to a new government.”

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