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30/07/2003
Annan 'outraged' at humanitarian crisis in Liberia
The Secretary-General Kofi Annan has voiced his "outrage" at the continued high incidence of civilian casualties in and around the Liberian capital Monrovia, as the result of "indiscriminate shelling".
He has demanded that all concerned respect the ceasefire agreed to in Accra.
"It is imperative that the siege of Monrovia be lifted, so that desperately-needed humanitarian relief can be brought in, peacekeepers can be quickly deployed and President Charles Taylor can depart," Mr Annan has said.
The Secretary-General has said that those who cause suffering to the civilian population will be held individually accountable for any war crimes they commit.
"By their reckless and criminal behaviour, they are disqualifying themselves from any leadership role in the future of their country," he warned.
The humanitarian crisis in Liberia has deepened in recent days after thousands more refugees were displaced in the wake of the rebel's capture of the country's second city, Buchanan.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) received reports yesterday that over 50,000 people, including some who fled recent fighting in the capital Monrovia, were moving towards an area near the international airport.
Since fighting between government forces and Movement for Democracy in Liberia (Model) rebels intensified around Buchanan late last week, some 9,000 people have fled into the city, adding the 6,000 refugees already there.
Recent fighting on Monrovia’s outskirts has caused displacement as well, and the UN has received reports that thousands of people are fleeing the war in Gardnersville, some 20 kilometres east of the capital and heading towards refugee centres which are already overcrowded.
OCHA has said that the situation in Monrovia has worsened and yesterday mortar shells landed on a church in the city centre killing three people and wounding over 40 others.
Fighting in the capital has overwhelmed health facilities, with nearly all energy devoted to treating the wounded, OCHA has reported.
(GMcG)
He has demanded that all concerned respect the ceasefire agreed to in Accra.
"It is imperative that the siege of Monrovia be lifted, so that desperately-needed humanitarian relief can be brought in, peacekeepers can be quickly deployed and President Charles Taylor can depart," Mr Annan has said.
The Secretary-General has said that those who cause suffering to the civilian population will be held individually accountable for any war crimes they commit.
"By their reckless and criminal behaviour, they are disqualifying themselves from any leadership role in the future of their country," he warned.
The humanitarian crisis in Liberia has deepened in recent days after thousands more refugees were displaced in the wake of the rebel's capture of the country's second city, Buchanan.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) received reports yesterday that over 50,000 people, including some who fled recent fighting in the capital Monrovia, were moving towards an area near the international airport.
Since fighting between government forces and Movement for Democracy in Liberia (Model) rebels intensified around Buchanan late last week, some 9,000 people have fled into the city, adding the 6,000 refugees already there.
Recent fighting on Monrovia’s outskirts has caused displacement as well, and the UN has received reports that thousands of people are fleeing the war in Gardnersville, some 20 kilometres east of the capital and heading towards refugee centres which are already overcrowded.
OCHA has said that the situation in Monrovia has worsened and yesterday mortar shells landed on a church in the city centre killing three people and wounding over 40 others.
Fighting in the capital has overwhelmed health facilities, with nearly all energy devoted to treating the wounded, OCHA has reported.
(GMcG)
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The UN has begun transporting the first of two battalions of peacekeepers from Nigeria to the troubled west African state of Liberia.
Nigerian peacekeepers arrive in capital of war-torn Liberia
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18 September 2003
Thousands of Liberians receive UN food aid
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Thousands of Liberians receive UN food aid
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27 August 2004
Annan welcomes Najaf peace deal
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has welcomed efforts by Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric to end the fighting in the holy city of Najaf. Mr Annan said he was "encouraged" by the agreement brokered by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to end weeks of fighting and halt hostilities in Najaf.
Annan welcomes Najaf peace deal
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has welcomed efforts by Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric to end the fighting in the holy city of Najaf. Mr Annan said he was "encouraged" by the agreement brokered by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to end weeks of fighting and halt hostilities in Najaf.
13 August 2003
UN team moves in to coordinate Liberian aid lift
The UN has sent an 11-person team into the Liberian capital Monrovia to help efforts to get food and clean water to thousands of people crowding the capital's streets.
UN team moves in to coordinate Liberian aid lift
The UN has sent an 11-person team into the Liberian capital Monrovia to help efforts to get food and clean water to thousands of people crowding the capital's streets.
04 August 2003
UN begins aid lift to Liberia
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) today announced the launch of an emergency operation to fly critical aid supplies into the Liberian capital of Monrovia, where hundreds of thousands of people are in need following two weeks of fighting.
UN begins aid lift to Liberia
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) today announced the launch of an emergency operation to fly critical aid supplies into the Liberian capital of Monrovia, where hundreds of thousands of people are in need following two weeks of fighting.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
