UN official lauds Chinese peacekeepers in Liberia

The Special Representative of the Secretary General and Coordinator of UN Operations in Liberia Karin Landgren has praised the Chinese Engineer Company of United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in Zwedru for helping with the development and maintenance of road infrastructure in southeastern Liberia.

"This has demonstrated your dedication and commitment to tackle seemingly impossible tasks. The roads and bridges that you have repaired, have facilitated the travel of children to schools, the movement of goods by traders to markets, and provided access to services such as health centers ,police stations and court houses - all of which help in moving Liberia forward in its development," Landgren said.

A statement reaching Xinhua on Saturday said Landgren was speaking at a medal parade in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County for the 558-strong Chinese Contingent on Friday.

She acknowledged efforts by the Chinese Transport Company that ferries vital supplies to UNMIL components in the furthest reaches of the Mission.

Landgren also commended the Chinese Contingent for the medical services it is providing to the Level II Hospital in Zwedru to ensure the health and welfare of peacekeepers and for reaching out to the local community with medical assistance.

Landgren also lauded the country's progress toward sustainable peace, saying UNMIL could now focus on a gradual handover of security responsibilities to the host Government.

She however reiterated that this does not mean that UNMIL is leaving tomorrow.

"Liberia's security and stability remains our top priority. The Mission is working closely with the Liberian National Police, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, and other security agencies to ensure that they have sufficient capacity to assume full responsibility for Liberia's security," Landgren added.