Brussels, 13/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The sanctions imposed by the EU against Liberia, in application of a United Nations Security Council Resolution 2003, will be renewed until 22 December 2007, albeit in a lighter form. Such was the decision taken by the EU Council when it adopted without debate, on 12 February, a common position modifying and renewing its common position of 10 February (2004/137/CFSP).
The aim of the EU is to put into effect Security Council Resolution 1736 (2006) to take into account the development of the situation in Liberia, since Ms Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was democratically elected as its president.
Restrictive measures concerning weapons and those relating to travel are renewed for a further 12-month period (as of 23 December 2006). The restrictive measures concerning diamonds are renewed for a further six months, and further exemption is introduced concerning the non-lethal material used by the Liberian government's police and security forces that have been controlled and set up since the beginning of the United Nations mission in Liberia in October 2003. (an)