HC Deb 22 April 1996 vol 276 c21W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the situation in Liberia. [25834]

Mr. Hanley

We condemn the recent fighting in Monrovia and call on all factions to re-establish the ceasefire and abide by the terms of the Abuja agreement. We support international efforts to restore order.

Mr. Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the humanitarian requirements of the population of Liberia; [25832]

(2) what reports he has received about the withdrawal of aid agencies from Liberia. [25833]

Mr. Hanley

Latest UN reports indicate that nearly all aid agencies have withdrawn from Liberia and most are temporarily based in Abidjan and Freetown pending an improvement in the security situation. The UN hopes to carry out assessments very soon but, in the meantime, the World Food Programme is achieving a modest food distribution in Monrovia.

Mr. Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current political and security situation in Liberia. [25830]

Mr. Hanley

The fighting in Monrovia is a severe setback to the peace process. We welcome the efforts of the UN and the countries of the region to restore order.

Mr. Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) his EU counterparts, (b) the United States of America and (c) the UN regarding the situation in Liberia. [25829]

Mr. Hanley

We have participated in discussions in the UN Security Council and are in close touch with our EU partners and the US regarding the situation in Liberia.

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