UN chief says effective rule of law remains a challenge in Liberia

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday said despite Liberia's progress in consolidating peace and security, the maintenance of effective rule of law remains a challenge for the West African country.

In his latest report to the UN Security Council on Liberia, Ban noted that persistent political and social divides, limited progress on national reconciliation, and the widespread perception that impunity is prevalent, were all cited as potentially destabilizing factors to the rule of law in Liberia.

With the West African nation's presidential and legislative elections set to take place in 2011, Ban said he was pleased that the government has initiated plans for the eventual takeover of security responsibilities from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

Established by a Security Council resolution in September 2003, UNMIL is tasked with assisting Liberia's national security reform, including national police training and the formation of a new, restructured military.

Ban's report called on the Security Council to extend UNMIL's mandate for an additional year until the September 2011 elections.

"The secretary-general says that more clarity is required to ensure the legitimacy of the vote," Farhan Haq, the UN spokesman, told reporters here Friday.

Source:Xinhua