UN Envoy, Ellen Margrethe Løj has commended Jordanian police peacekeepers for their role in consolidating peace throughout Liberia. In remarks made during a medal award ceremony early this week, Ms. Løj acknowledged their support to the Liberia National Police and noted that their "efforts to curb crime and public disorder, play an important part in maintaining peace and stability."

The Jordanian Formed Police unit comprises 240 highly skilled police officers who conduct a range of tasks, including joint patrols with other UN Formed Police Units and advisors, as well as the Liberia National Police. She gave them special commendation for the role of some members of the contingent in foiling an attempted mass escape from the Monrovia Central Prison last October.

Envoy Løj also hailed the FPU Commander, Lt. Col. Alshebailat, for inspiring the Unit to reach out to the communities in which they serve. Among what she hailed as selfless acts, are a medical outreach to 450 inhabitants; and distribution of food and drinking water to 700 people.

Ms. Løj used the occasion to reiterate the need for all peacekeepers to "scrupulously maintain the highest standards of behavior and noted that, "any act of indiscipline and bad behavior can easily tarnish all the hard work and sacrifices that we make daily."

The ceremony was attended by senior UNMIL civilian and military officials, including Deputy Envoy, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Acting Force Commander, Major-General Carl Modey and the Acting Police Commissioner, Gautam Sawang.