Ban Ki-moon statement coincides with a visiting US congressional delegation who are in that country to review progress in Liberia’s development agenda and to strengthen bilateral relationship between both countries according to an Executive Mansion dispatch.

"It is critically important that the Government of Liberia make every effort to develop national security and the rule of law institutions that are fully independently operational, " Ban Ki-moon writes in his report to the Security Council according to UN news service, whiles citing the prevalence of rape, armed robbery, mob violence and ethnic tensions.

He continued "I am particularly concerned that drug trafficking could trigger further destabilization," whiles noting a similar threat to Liberia's troubled neighbours, Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire. "The claim made by the ruling military authority in Guinea, regarding possible attacks by armed elements based in neighbouring countries, raises the spectre of renewed regional conflict.”

Ban caution that "The presence of armed Liberian combatants with uncertain intentions in neighbouring countries also remains a serious cause for concern."
On gains made so far, the UN chief said the country has made steady progress in turning the economy whiles single out UNDP and WFP in that area and the reduction of poverty despite its "weak institutional capacity remains a serious constraint at both the national and local levels."

On human rights, Ban Ki-moon said the former war torn nation has made improvement in that area also in spite of the country’s weak law institutions, economic insecurity and limited social services still continues to pose challenges, whiles the Government still faces serious constraints in furthering its anti-corruption agenda, despite some progress in strengthening oversight mechanisms.

Ban ordered for the 15,250 peace keepers of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) which is perhaps one of UN largest peacekeeping mission in the world to be reduced to 8,200 by next May through the repatriation of a further 8,202 troops, three attack helicopters and 72 armored personnel carriers. The UNMIL police component would remain at its authorized strength of 1,375.