The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Melissa Chea-Annan
3 October 2008
The head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL), Margrethe Loj said on Wednesday that there will be an increase number of the Police Form Units (FPUs) that are presently operating in the country.
According to her, the extra two Police Form units which will include an extra 240 police will join the already five Police Form Units that are presently operating in the country.
Speaking in Monrovia the UNMIL boss stated that the role of the new police will remain crucial in terms of training and advising the Liberia National Police as well as the day-to-day operational tasks to combat crimes. She said the Formed Police Units will work closely with the newly established Emergency Response Unit of the Liberia National Police.
Madam Loj further stated that by September 2009, the number of military personnel will be decreased by 1,460 and that the drawdown will be based on the actual situation on the ground and will take into consideration the achievements of the benchmarks set by the Mission and endorsed by the Security Council.
She also explained that the extension of the mandate represents a strong commitment by the United Nations to maintain peace and security in Liberia, "we will remain vigilant and continue with our active border patrol programs.
We will also continue to support the Liberia National police with its daily operational and advisory needs even as we continue to build the capacity of the police to take over all these functions when the Mission leaves," she assured.
The Mission's Boss in a relaxed mood said about three weeks ago, when she presented the Secretary-General's report to the Security Council in the United States of America, she stated that though significant progress has been made in Liberia, but it is still not appropriate at this moment to reduce the Mission from Liberia.
According to her it was against this background that the Security Council approved Resolution 1,836 and extended the Mission's mandate for a period of one year until September, 2009.
Madam Loj assured that the Mission would remain committed to the broader agenda of peace building and supporting the Government of Liberia in consolidating the rule of law and building the capacity of national institutions for the eventual take over of the role and responsibility of moving this country ahead.
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