U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Liberia on Thursday to continue her 11-day seven-country African tour.Despite pouring rain, huge crowds lined the streets of Monrovia to welcome Mrs Clinton to Liberia, where she held talks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.Mrs Clinton sent a strong message of support to Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s only female head of state,saying that she was impressed with Liberian's post war progress. Liberia she noted was on the right path and the United States fully supported the government's effort of restoring peace and good governance.
President Sirleaf and Mrs Clinton at a joint press conference in Monrovia..
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Sirleaf, Secretary Clinton was asked if her visit here is meant as a show of support for Africa's first elected female president."Of course it's a sign of support," she said. "We have looked at the entire record that President Sirleaf brings to office, her performance in office, the accomplishments of the government she leads, and we are supportive and will continue to be because we think Liberia is on the right path, as difficult as the path might be."
Secretary Clinton says the Obama administration will continue to back Liberian efforts to reduce corruption and improve the electoral process ahead of the next national elections in 2011.
Liberia was the second to last stop on Mrs. Clinton’s seven-nation African tour.