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TodaysNetworkNews: 17 August 2009 - UNMIL: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns in a new report that despite significant progress in consolidating peace and stability, the situation in Liberia remains fragile. In Monrovia last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States would do more to help strengthen the national police force, as she vowed to "stand with" Liberia's embattled President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Liberia continues to make significant progress in consolidating peace after more than a decade of civil war, but the gains remain fragile, especially with regard to security, rule of law and job creation, according to the latest United Nations report on the work of peacekeepers there. In the report to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes that it is critically important that the government of Liberia make every effort to develop national security and the rule of law institutions that are fully independently operational, citing the prevalence of rape, armed robbery, mob violence and ethnic tensions. Only last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the capital Monrovia, pledging renewed support by the United States to help Liberia find its way out of instability and poverty as she completed her seven-nation tour of Africa. Founded in the 19th century by freed former American slaves, Liberias ties with the United States have been traditionally close. SOUNDBITE (English) Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, United States: The people of Liberia have proven their strength, their resilience, and their resourcefulness. They hold their own future, and the future of their country and their children in their hands. But the people of the United States are proud to stand with them and you, President Sirleaf, in working to deliver the kind of future that the people of this country deserve. Clinton made a point of stressing her support for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Africas only female President has recently come under fire after a report by Liberias Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommended that she not stand for re-election in national polls set for 2011. SOUNDBITE (English) Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, United States: There is a very clear sense of direction that this government has demonstrated, and of course we have to continue to provide the support that Liberia so richly deserves. The new UN report cites some encouraging progress in achieving the governments poverty reduction strategy, although weak institutional capacity remains a serious constraint at both the national and local levels. Liberias economy is expected to grow by nearly five per cent this year, compared with 7.1 per cent in 2008. Clinton said Liberia would be among the partner states in a food security program recently announced by US President Barack Obama. She also said the US would do more to beef up security in Liberia. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is recommending that the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which has helped stabilize the country since a ceasefire in 2003 ended a 14-year civil war, be drawn down gradually to about 8,200 military personnel by next May, with the missions police component remaining at its authorized strength of 1,375. SOUNDBITE (English) Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, United States: Local law enforcement needs the training and resources to do its job, and I am proud that the United States will be expanding its commitment to work with the government of Liberia, the United Nations and other partners to continue and complete the development of an effective, democratic, inclusive police force here in Liberia. One of UNMILs core activities has been the training and capacity-building of the Liberian national police force (LNP). For the elite Emergency Response Unit (ERU), the best LNP officers are subjected to a comprehensive background check, a physical test and medical examination before being accepted into training. In his report, the UN Secretary-General warns that the stability of the West African country continues to be affected by potentially adverse developments in the sub-region such as the drug trade and various armed groups. He also recommends that UNMIL be mandated to offer logistical support, coordinate international electoral assistance and facilitate the creation of a positive climate for a peaceful national election in 2011. TODAYSNETWORKNEWS IS A GLOBAL NEWS NETWORK FOR BREAKING INTERNATIONAL NEWS, OPINION, VIDEO AND TELEVISION BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED NEWS JOURNALISTS. See, http://www.TodaysNetworkNews.com .