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United Nations adjusts Liberia sanctions; keeps arms embargo, ends travel ban

By Andrew V. Pestano
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adjusted several sanctions on Liberia. File Photo by UPI/UN Photo/Amanda Voisard
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adjusted several sanctions on Liberia. File Photo by UPI/UN Photo/Amanda Voisard

NEW YORK, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adjusted several sanctions on Liberia, including the renewal of an arms embargo and the termination of a travel ban.

The council also terminated an asset freeze on individuals deemed a danger to Liberia's stability. The partial arms embargo is renewed for nine months.

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A U.N. report on Liberia's arms and ammunition management highlighted some improvements, but also indicated weaknesses in Liberia's institutions, gaps in the legal framework for security sectors and the country's porous borders that are vulnerable to trafficking.

The council urges "Liberia to take further steps to combat the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition, prioritizing the timely adoption and implementation of an effective legal framework," according to a U.N statement.

Liberia's Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafaun told VOA News his country will continue to work with the U.N. to ensure that peace and security are not jeopardized in Liberia after the sanction adjustments.

"The general government position to the U.N. has been that the sanction list, travel ban and assets freeze list should not be kept in full, that relevant information needs to be evaluated and to the extent that information will point to the lifting of sanctions or a ban on an individual, that the UN should do so," Ngafaun said. "Liberia wants all its citizens and partners to be contributive of the peace and progress of the nation."

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