UN force begins Liberia 'stability' operation

The United Nations blue helmets have embarked on a stability mission to Liberia – a nation torn asunder by nearly 15 years of civil war, brutality, rape, looting and corruption.

Exchanging camouflage berets for the blue UN insignia, 3,500 soldiers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stationed in Liberia since the government and rebels signed a ceasefire in August, were transformed into the vanguard of what will eventually swell to a 16,000-strong UN peacekeeping operation.

"Today is the start of a process of normalization for a country that has suffered the ravages of nearly a decade and a half of conflict," Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Jacques Paul Klein, told the handover ceremony in the capital Monrovia, officially launching the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

"For the Mission to be successful, we count on the support of each and every Liberian. At so critical a juncture in the history of this nation, I wish to appeal to all citizens to put aside their personal or political differences and to unite in support of the peace process now under way," Mr Klein added.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved UNMIL less than two weeks ago for an initial 12-month period with 15,000 military personnel and over 1,000 civilian police officers. At the time, Mr Klein said a force of this strength was vital to bring the country back from "hellish limbo" and end the cycle of brutality and violence.

"Give us the mandate and the tools and I assure you we will do what is just and what is right," he told the 15-member body.

UNMIL's mandate includes monitoring the ceasefire, assisting the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation of all armed parties, including child soldiers, providing security at key government installations, in particular ports, airports, and other vital infrastructure, and protecting UN staff, facilities and civilians.

Other tasks include helping the transitional government develop a strategy to consolidate governmental institutions, including a national legal framework and judicial and correctional institutions, and restoring proper administration of natural resources - all with a view to holding free and fair elections by October 2005.

(gmcg)