A United Nations-commissioned report has recommended maintaining economic sanctions on Liberia, amid concerns over persistent embargo violations, and the country’s continued threat to regional stability. The report, which will be discussed by the UN Security Council on Thursday, says restrictions on Liberian diamond sales have been breached, despite the supposed safeguard of the Kimberley international gem certification process, and says Liberia’s defence minister attempted in August to receive a shipment of arms, also subject to embargo, originating from Serbia and channeled via Libya. The report finds little evidence that timber sanctions have been violated, but says the real test will come this month, after the rains. The research, completed before the inauguration of Liberia’s transitional national government in mid-October, comes alongside new reports of fighting in the country and worries about the control enjoyed by former warring parties over key economic assets. Full Story
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