The government and people of Liberia have bestowed the nation's highest honor on the Secretary General of the United Nations, Dr. Kofi Annan.

President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, yesterday bestowed honor on Dr. Annan at an investiture ceremony held in the parlors of the Executive Mansion and was attended by senior Liberian government officials, foreign diplomats accredited near this capital, among others.

The United Nations Secretary General was honored with the "Grand Order of the Knighthood of Pioneer," and decorated by the Liberian leader.

Speaking before the decoration of the visiting United Nations Secretary General to Liberia, President Sirleaf recounted the many sacrifices and contributions made by Dr. Annan which, she said have given Liberia a rebirth.

On behalf of the government and the people of Liberia, President Sirleaf commended the United Nations Secretary General for the exemplary role he played for Liberia to reach this level of peace and stability.

She recounted how the United Nations Secretary General's persuasiveness encouraged the international community and the UN to come to the aid of Liberia by evidence of the resolution passed by the United Nations Security Council to dispatch to Liberia a 15,000 strong United Nations Peace Keeping Force.

She added that Dr. Annan was also instrumental in seeing the Liberian warring parties sign the Accra Peace Agreement which, eventually resulted to where Liberia is now, stressing that the UN Boss has been the leading voice for Liberia's social and economic recovery.

Responding to the honor, Dr. Annan, who was accompanied by his wife, said that he was moved and humbled by the honor. He intimated that he has accepted the honor as a testimony of the close bond between Liberia and the United Nations, something which he noted is bearing fruits of peace for the nation.

Dr. Annan added that the peace process in Liberia has been an inspiration to the rest of the world, stressing that Liberians can rest assured that the United Nations will be a loyal partner to Liberia.

He earnestly promised that he will do his best to live up to the honor bestowed on him.

Earlier in the day, Secretary General Annan, stressed the need for Liberia to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Dr. Annan made the call yesterday when he addressed the 52nd Legislature in the William R. Tolbert, Jr. Chambers of the National Legislature on Capitol Hill.

Delivering a brief speech to the legislators, the UN Secretary General, who ends his three-day visit to Liberia today, said, "corruption erodes the society and destroys the confidence of the people."

"In that context, I urge you, to keep taking practical steps to fight this spread and to ratify as soon as possible the UN Convention Against Corruption which was signed by the NTGL Chairman Gyude Bryant," he emphasized.

He said he is looking forward to the government of Liberia and all its international partners to provide every possible means of support to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) so that it can implement its mandate effectively and timely.

He said the UN is prepared to work with the country as it strives to achieve good governance in a society built on the rule of law, pointing out that, that will require the government to function in a transparent and honest manner.

Dr. Annan assured the Liberian parliament that the United Nations will continue to work with the country as it strives to meet the millennium development goal making specific reference to the fight against the deadly HIV AIDS Virus.

He said the UN will work with the government by giving equal weight to three key areas such as security, development, and human rights accompanied by the rule of law, as it seeks to build a comprehensive strategy for the future.

He reminded the Liberian lawmakers that it is incumbent upon them to serve as peace makers, adding, "practice the message of tolerance and mutual respect."

The UN boss assured the Liberian parliament that the world body will support and work with Liberia in healing the division that gave rise to the conflict in Liberia.

He admitted that too many times they have witnessed the same weaknesses in international responses to post conflict situations especially through the shortage of funds, in the lack of international coordination, and in the tendency for the international actors to live through heresy, adding, "this can reverse hard earned results and weaken the attempts we are making to build solid societies".

He assured the parliamentarians that as for the UN, it is imperative that it remains with Liberia for a long term.

Receiving Dr. Annan at the capitol, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Edwin Snowe, described the visit as a historic moment and remembered it as the first time in decades for the Secretary General of the UN to address the joint session of the Liberian parliament.

Speaker Snowe pointed out that the need for a genuine reconciliation can not be over emphasized and called on Dr. Annan to immediately review the sanctions on the country to create jobs opportunity for the citizens.

He said, individuals like him, placed on the sanction and travel ban list of the United Nations Security Council be moved by the recent position of Dr. Annan challenging that body to come up with its procedure justifying the actions of placing people's names on the list.

He said, "we would be pleased if the UN could institute a legal framework through which the accused could be given his day to vindicate himself."

Before he delivered his address to the National Legislature, Dr. Annan met with the President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at her Executive Mansion office.

In her remarks to the UN boss, President Sirleaf commended the world body for the support Liberia has received and continue to receive from the UN system.

"We know that it is because of the peace keeping force that has enabled us to make this transition from conflict to peace, "she said.

She promised that her government would continue to move Liberia forward to growth and development and acknowledged that the world body is a strong partner to Liberia in this regard.

Responding, Dr. Annan expressed happiness that the UN has been able to work with Liberia to get the nation to where it is now.

He stressed the need to work with other countries especially neighboring states so as to sustain the peace in the country.

"We will continue to support your efforts to build this nation; obviously, you can not do this in isolation," he said.

Later in the evening yesterday, Dr. Annan held a news conference at the newly dedicated UNMIL headquarters in Sinkor.

Dr. Annan reiterated the mission's quest to work along with the Unity Party led government to bring about hope for a brighter future for Liberians and assist the country in her reconstruction process.

The United Nations Chief Administrator praised government for its commitment in working hard to address the considerable challenges remaining in partnership with the international community.

Dr. Annan disclosed plans by the UN to host a donor conference in Washington D.C in October 2006 to encourage donor countries to provide more funding to Liberia in making its reconstruction plan a reality.

Touching on the establishment of a war crime court in Liberia to prosecute perpetrators of the Liberian 14-year civil war, Dr. Annan said the decision to do such is left with the Liberian government.

Dr. Annan said the Liberian government, in the past, opted for a Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a decision, he noted, was endorsed by the UN.

"The Liberian government chose the idea of establishing a TRC like the one in South Africa and we endorsed the idea and provided support for the TRC in Liberia. But if the Liberian government comes back and request for a War Crime Court in Liberia, we will support that decision," Dr. Annan added.