President Sirleaf noted that Liberia’s fundamental principles of democracy, the rule of law, human freedom and individual dignity were strengthened by the resolve of all Liberians to defeat the Ebola virus from the country. The Liberian leader made the statement in Greenville Monday in a special statement at the official program commemorating Liberia’s 168th Independence Anniversary. She observed that this year’s celebration is quite different from those of previous years, especially looking back at last year when the country was challenged by an unknown enemy, something, she noted, that spoke to the true test of the Liberian people's faith and resilience. President Sirleaf lauded diplomatic missions, the international community and United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) as well as bilateral and multilateral partners for their extraordinary show of solidarity during the Ebola scourge in Liberia. She also thanked the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union for mobilizing in an unprecedented way, private sector support and recruiting about 339 medical practitioners from 16 African countries to help Liberians eradicate Ebola from their country. “We are always mindful that global conditions such as floods, earthquakes, death and terrorism, among others, affect people in all parts of the world, but their ability to surmount these challenges demonstrates their inner strength to survive, to regain lost grounds and to continue to build their nation towards the common goals of peace and prosperity; this was shown by Liberians,” she emphasized. LINA PSN/TSS/PTK