
Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai has lauded the United States
Government for its unwavering assistance towards the transformation of
the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
He observed that the United States has been very supportive of the
training and equipping of the over 2,000 personnel of the
Liberian army, according to a Defense Ministry press release
issued here Tuesday.
Defense Minister Samukai made the commendation when the United States
delegation to the Partnership Dialogue headed by Department of State
Counselor Thomas Shannon, paid a courtesy call on him at his Barclay
Training Center office on Tuesday.
He also expressed gratitude to the U.S Government for the role it
played in the process leading to the selection and induction of the
Chief of Staff of the AFL, Brigadier General Daniel Dee Ziankhan.
Minister Samukai assured the U.S State Department delegation that
Liberia remains committed to fighting terrorism and other trans-border
crimes within the sub-region and beyond, as mandated by the
Commander-In-Chief of the AFL, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The Liberian Defense Minister reiterated an earlier statement by
President Johnson Sirleaf that “No inch of Liberian territory will be
used to destabilize her neighbors.”
Minister Samukai informed the visiting delegation that the security
situation at the borders of the Mano River Union countries of Liberia,
Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast remains calm.
He said the recent attack near the Liberian border with Cote d’Ivoire
was an internal uprising which his Ivorian counterpart said has been put
under control.
For his part, Counselor Shannon thanked Minister Samukai for the good
work the Ministry of Defense continues to do, including contributing
troops to international peacekeeping efforts in Mali.
This, he noted, demonstrates that Liberia is regaining its respect within the comity of nations.
Shannon said he remains proud of US-Liberia relations, and that one of
the primary goals of his mission to Liberia is to hold a Partnership
Dialogue with defense authorities, as well as to meet the new Chief of
Staff of the AFL, Brigadier General Daniel Dee Ziankhan.
LINA TSS/PTK
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