President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has asked the United Nations to reconsider its timetable for the withdrawal of peacekeeping troops in Liberia.

	• Pres. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Speaking in Sharm el-sheikh, Egypt, where she held talks with Madam Aisha Rose Mugiro, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, the President told the UN official at the International Congress Center, venue of ongoing 13th Ordinary Session for the Heads of States and Governments of the African Union, to extend her government’s plea to the UN.

The Liberian leader who emphasized that crime still exists in some sections of the Liberian society, appealed for assistance for the security sector.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf said the U.N. can do more to strengthen the Liberia National Police force and asked for cooperation from the organization in this initiative.

The President further added that Liberia is building what she referred to as ‘a strong army’ and expressed the optimism that this will be strengthened in a few years, pledging her government’s renewed commitment to working with Ambassador Ellen Loj and the entire family of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

For her part, Madam Mugiro pledged the United Nations’ commitment to revamping many of Liberia’s troubled sectors, including security. She further promised to bring the security issue in Liberia to the attention of the United Nations family.

The 13th Ordinary African Union Summit began today with an elaborate opening ceremony. Official remarks were delivered by African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping, African Union Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Palestine President Mahmoud Abass, Deputy United Nations Secretary General Aisha Rose Mugiro and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

African Leaders Review Relations With UN

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is among African leaders attending the Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Summit of Heads of States and Governments of the African Union.

The Liberian leader arrived Sunday in the Egyptian resort city to participate in the summit, which is scheduled to be held from June 30 to July 1.

She is expected to reiterate her call to fellow African leaders for the need for Africa to carve out a roadmap, which will eventually lead to the much-coveted Union Government or a United States of Africa. Another issue scheduled to be brought to the forefront is the political situation in Zimbabwe.

Enthusiasm has heightened among political pundits in Sharm El-Sheikh due to today’s inaugural ceremony of Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe in Harare for a sixth term.

The position of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on the Zimbabwean situation is also eagerly awaited by members of several presidential delegations at the conference venue.

During yesterday’s meeting of the Africa Union’s Executive Council, which comprises of the continent’s foreign ministers, Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Mrs. Olubanke King-Akerele, initiated the political issue in Zimbabwe for discussion.

This discussion led to the placing of the political issue in Zimbabwe on the Heads of States’ agenda during the two-day summit.

Other issues on the African Union Summit’s agenda include a proposition by Libya that two A.U. meetings be held during the year, as well as allowing it to host the second meeting.

A.U. Heads of States are also expected to examine the continent’s relationship with the United Nations System as it relates to peace and security on the continent.

An additional issue will be a look at various partnerships between Africa and some countries, which has generated considerable debate among delegates. This is with regards whether there is an invasion of Africa by countries proposing specific partnerships.

The President delegation to the summit includes Foreign Minister Olubanke King-Akerele, Dr. Edward Clinton, Liberia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union; Hon. Kona Blackett, Liberia’s Ambassador to Egypt and Hon. Henry Fahnbulleh, Assistant Foreign Minister for Afro-African Affairs.