The Liberian Government has strongly condemned a recent United Nations Panel of Experts report, which claimed several Ivorian rebel training bases have been identified in eastern Liberia.

Early this month, the Reuters News Agency, quoting the UN experts report said, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo's supporters have a "military structure," have hired mercenaries in Ghana and Liberia and have established several training camps here, particularly in the east of the country.

The news agency, which disclosed that it received from an UN official and Security Council Diplomats excerpts and information about the report, also revealed that some pro-Gbagbo field commanders, collectively known as "the generals," boasted nicknames like "Western Tarzan," "Bob Marley," "Bushdog" and "Iron Jacket."

But addressing a news conference Thursday at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in Monrovia, Liberia's Information Minister Lewis Brown challenged the UN Expert team to show any Ivorian Rebel training site in Liberia, arguing that National Security forces and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have been on the alert since the neighboring Ivorian insurrection.

Minister Brown suggested that if the UN Panel of Expert cannot relate to the Liberian Government over the alleged discovery of rebel training command in any part of the country, they should then inform the peacekeepers or UNMIL here which will collaborate with state security in taking necessary steps.

"No evidence to support the UN's claims unless someone can show us these bases that all of us have been looking for", said the Information Minister.

He noted that instability in Cote d'Ivoire is instability in Liberia; therefore, the Liberian government will not allow any of its territory to be used by whomever to destabilize the security of any other country, including Ivory Coast.

Notwithstanding, Minister Brown has confirmed reports that security forces have arrested Bobby Julu on suspicion of participating in the ongoing conflict in [neighboring Cote d'Ivoire] and is currently being held for investigation in Liberia.

He revealed that suspect Julu was arrested from Ganta, Nimba County, assuring the public that more information will be provided as investigation continues. Brown re-emphasized that government will remain steadfast in pursuing its stance that "not a single inch of Liberia's territory will be used by anyone to propagate or destabilize the security of any nation."

"Our people have had enough conflict; we have turned the page. This government is decisive, unwavering and uncompromising on that stance; and anyone who tries to test the resolve of this government will find us not wanting," said Brown.
allAfrica