The Ministry of National Defense says that at no time has any of its trained and disciplined soldiers been involved in act of Armed Robbery.

The Ministry's statement was in reaction to a news story published in the Daily Observer Newspaper, volume 12, #151, dated Monday edition, 11 August 2008 under the Captioned "New AFL Soldiers Accused of Armed Robber"

In a press released issued yesterday by authority of the Ministry of National Defense, international partners and the Liberia people have been assured that there is absolutely no basis of truth established in the news story carried in the Daily Observer Newspaper.

The ministry also disclosed that there is no truth in said Newspaper report reference to any personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), being involved in the act of Armed Robbery.

"This Article is a misrepresentation of the well trained and disciplined men and women of the AFL. The captioned has no connection to the story as was written by the reporter", the released said.

The Ministry said it finds unacceptable for any person pr persons to enter any of its military institutions to commit a criminal offense or cause damage to property of the government of Liberia.

The MOD has disclosed that it will continue to engage the press and the Liberian people in the restructuring and development of the AFL under the Security Sector Reform program.

"Please do not hesitate to contact the minister for issues relevant to the AFL or its civilian component", the release concluded.