Security Council concerned over continued fighting

Members of the UN Security Council expressed concern on Thursday at the continuation of fighting in Liberia between pro-government forces and dissidents. They urged the parties involved to show restraint and engage in dialogue, Council President Alfonso Valdivieso said in a press statement. He said the Council welcomed a 13-15 August meeting of foreign ministers from the Mano River Union countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and hoped it would “facilitate and broaden prospects for enhanced cooperation and sustainable peace throughout the subregion”. Council members also “encourage the ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting a meeting of the heads of state of the Mano River Union”, he said. They urged the Liberian government to pursue all peaceful avenues towards ending the fighting, “which is causing severe humanitarian consequences” and called for an end to human rights abuses. Council members invited the international community, “in particular humanitarian organisations, to continue to provide the necessary assistance to the populations affected by the conflicts”, and called on the donor community “to maintain its commitments in providing humanitarian aid to Liberia”. They reaffirmed the need to comply fully with the arms embargo against Liberia, encouraged the Mano River Union Women’s Peace Network and other civil society groups “to continue their useful efforts to facilitate peace and dialogue in the Mano River Union region” and encouraged the Liberian authorities “to continue the efforts aimed at national reconciliation”.