Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Inauguration of the National Transitional Government in the Republic of Liberia

October 15, 2003

On October 14 (Tue) local time, the inauguration ceremony for the National Transitional Government was held in Monrovia, the capital of the Republic of Liberia, attended by representatives of the government, the anti-government groups and others. The Government of Japan welcomes the inauguration of the National Transitional Government headed by Chairman Gyude Bryant.
The Government of Japan highly commends the mediation efforts in the African regions leading up to the establishment of the transitional government, especially by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ghana, the chair of the ECOWAS, Nigeria and other parties concerned, and also those of the United Nations and the United States.
The consolidation of peace in the Republic of Liberia is important for peace and stability in the West African region and, eventually, on the entire African continent.
Japan has been supportive of the peace process and hopes that under the National Transitional Government the comprehensive peace agreement signed in August will be steadily implemented and endeavors toward new nation-building in the Republic of Liberia will be promoted.

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