United Nations Radio

Liberia needs additional international financial support to conduct general elections next year, according to the United Nations envoy for the country, Ellen Løj.

Liberia election

Briefing the Security Council in New York on Wednesday, Ms Løj confirmed that preparations for the presidential and legislative elections are underway.

She told the Council that progress has been made in adopting key legislation, and mobilizing resources.

The UN envoy stressed that the 2011 elections will be a critical test for Liberia on its path to democratic stability:

"The electoral timetable was announced on 27 August with voter registration to start in January. However, the National Elections Commission will not be able to successful organize elections without the international community's support. While considerable pledged have been made, more is needed."

The UN envoy said that there have been many positive developments in Liberia and that seven years of unbroken peace has allowed Liberians to begin to be optimistic about the future.

Daniel Dickinson, UN Radio
Duration: 1'10"