Annan hails Taylor's decision to leave office

Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - UN Secretary-General Busumuru Kofi Annan on Monday welcomed the resignation of President Charles Taylor from office saying this development may at last mark the beginning of the end of the long nightmare of the Liberian people.

"With that in mind, (the Secretary-General) strongly urges all parties in Liberia to observe the ceasefire, and to allow humanitarian assistance to reach the population in all parts of the country," a statement issued in Accra on Monday said.

The statement said Busumuru Annan also urged all member states to give whatever assistance they can to the Liberian people in restoring security and stability, notably by supporting and contributing to the multinational force authorised by the Security Council. "The Secretary-General notes the progress achieved by the Liberian parties in the negotiations in Accra and believes that all of them should now make every effort to reach agreement quickly in a process leading to a transitional government, which can bring about national reconciliation, and in due course enable the Liberian people to choose a fully representative leadership through free and fair elections."

Mr Annan expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by African Leaders, notably, President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana; President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique, Chairman of Africa Union; President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, to resolve the crisis.

He particularly thanked President Obasanjo for the timely deployment of Nigerian peacekeeping troops and former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar for his "able facilitation of the Accra (Peace) Talks".

Busumuru Annan expressed the hope that regional leaders would remain closely engaged and would do whatever they could to maintain and help Liberians reach a peaceful resolution of their differences.