UN keeps up Liberia sanctions

2003-12-05 07:39

New York - The United Nations Security Council said it will maintain an arms embargo, a ban on the timber trade and other sanctions on Liberia.

But after a closed-door briefing, the council said there is a need "to redefine the legal basis for the sanctions and to evolve appropriate criteria for their eventual lifting" following the ouster of Liberian leader Charles Taylor and the August ceasefire between the government and rebels.

A statement read on Thursday by council president Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria said members agreed to take "the necessary decisions in that regard shortly".

In May, the Security Council approved a one-year extension of the arms embargo on Liberia, a travel ban on senior Liberian officials, and a prohibition on the import of Liberian diamonds. It added a new ban on the timber trade which took effect on July 5.

A peace pact, signed days after Taylor flew into exile in Nigeria on August 11, called for the establishment of an interim government, which was inaugurated on October 14.

Former combatants are now jockeying for influence in the new administration led by Monrovia businessman Gyude Bryant. It is expected to arrange elections for late 2005 and cede power to a representative government in early 2006.

But Liberians fear that large-scale fighting could flare again if any of the warring parties bolt Bryant's government.

- AP