President Kufuor addresses AU Summit

Maputo, July 12, GNA -President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday, appealed to African leaders and international community for assistance to mobilise funds, and logistical support for the Stablisation Force being deployed to Liberia.

He said ECOWAS would deploy about 1,000 to 1,500 troops within the next two weeks.

President Kufuor who is the ECOWAS Chairman, made the appeal when he addressed the Plenary Session of the three-day Second Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of Government of the African Union (AU), in Maputo Mozambique.

Mr. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Press Secretary to President Kufuor said the ECOWAS Chairman, gave an overview of the situation in Cote D'Ivoire and Liberia and the efforts of the sub-regional body to ensure peace in the two countries.

President Kufuor said the decision by President Charles Taylor to leave Liberia and the establishment of the Stabilisation Force were not conditions but necessary to avoid a vacuum and to forestall chaos and confusion before handing over to a successor.

President Kufuor said the Linus-Marcussis and the Accra Accord on Cote D'Ivoire were being implemented with the establishment of a transitional government until elections were held.

President Kufuor would leave Maputo for Accra this afternoon.