The Liberia National Police say it will begin the diversion of traffic on Thursday, January 31, 2013 in preparation for the UN High Level Panel meeting in Monrovia.

Police spokesman Sam Collins said the traffic diversion is intended to ensure the free flow of traffic during the meeting.

He said the police have a statutory mandate to protect the people of Liberia and all foreign residents and guests; as such, it would institute the necessary measures to perform the task.

Mr. Collins told The News Tuesday at his Capitol Hill office that individuals should desist from politicizing the pending traffic diversion. He said the public safety regulation is put in place due to the visit of high level foreign dignitaries.

He further said the traffic diversion would not stop people from going to work or school as being insinuated by some individuals.

Collins stressed that the police do not intend to violate the rights of Liberians by preventing them from moving freely.

He announced that the Monrovia-Robertfield highway would only be used by the UN High Level Panel delegation, emphasizing that no truck would be allowed to use that route.

He said vehicles coming from the Roberts International Airport (RIA) would be diverted to Firestone through 15 Gate on to Red-light and diverted through the Somalia Drive to central Monrovia.

The Police mouthpiece indicated that vehicles coming from Paynesville would also be diverted through Somalia Drive to central Monrovia.

Additionally, he said vehicles from the S.K.D. Boulevard Junction would use the Tubman Boulevard up to Vamoma House and diverted to Jallah Town.

The Police spokesman called on the public to cooperate as the measures are intended for few days.