16/01/2004

Italian Group On Peace Mission Calls On Factions to Remain Committed

The head of a two-man Italian delegation visiting Liberia, Vittorio Scelzo, has called on warring parties to remain committed to the Accra Peace Agreement to ensure that disarmament is successful and peace is restored to the Country.

Mr. Scelzo, who is African Director for the Italian-based Catholic organization, Community Saint Egidio, said peace in Liberia is relevant to stability in the sub-region.

Addressing reporters last week, Mr. Scelzo explained that they were in the country to participate in the peace process and to also assess the humanitarian situation in order to determine the level of assistance to give internally displaced people (IDPs).

He said his group played an influential role during the Accra talks by encouraging the leader of the rebel Liberian United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) Sekou Konneh to attend the talks and dialogue with others for the sake of peace.

Mr. Scelzo told reporters that his organization operates throughout the sub-region, and that they were also interested in supporting the fight against the HIV/AIDS virus in the country.