Highlights of U.N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visit to Liberia..........

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon began a visit to Liberia Monday, "I have come to Liberia to see at first hand the remarkable achievements your country has made in recovering from a devastating conflict. And I have come to reassure the Liberian people of my steadfast commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in your nation," Mr. Ban said in an address to a joint session of the Liberian legislature in the capital, Monrovia.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon (R) is greeted upon his arrival at Monrovia's airport on April 21.

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Mr. Ban outlined several areas where further progress is needed, including reforming the legal and judicial system and extending the rule of law throughout the country.
He said more also needs to be done to reintegrate populations affected by war and promote reconciliation and national unity, as well as ensure economic development. "Delivering the peace dividend in these areas is necessary to underpin the stability that Liberia currently enjoys," he noted.
"In this and other challenges confronting Liberia, the entire United Nations family will work with you," the Secretary-General pledged.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has begun the first phase of its drawdown process, and the Security Council will decide on the next phase after reviewing the progress made by the Government in meeting certain key benchmarks.
Mr. Ban said his recommendations to the Council on the drawdown will be linked to the Government's ability to assume full responsibility for its national security. "Our common strategic goal is to ensure that Liberia has a solid security sector - one that can stand on its own feet before UNMIL completes its withdrawal."