MONROVIA, February 28 (LINA) - United States President Barack Obama has pledged to work with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to strengthen the Liberian economy, rebuild infrastructure and accelerate growth in the country.

He pledged the U.S. Government’s commitment to assist in everything from “Millennial Challenge grants to encouraging international investment, to the return of Peace Corps volunteers."

Obama added: “We want to accelerate… some of the efforts that President Sirleaf had already begun to reduce corruption, and to make sure that prosperity and growth is broad-based, not just in Monrovia, but throughout rural areas.

That's the kind of partnership that we’re looking forward to, and we could not have a better partner than President Sirleaf.”
The U.S President made the pledge shortly before a bilateral meeting he held with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the White House in Washington D.C. on Friday, February 27.

He recalled the devastating impact of the Ebola virus outbreak on Liberia in 2014, describing it as “an extraordinarily difficult challenge” that left death and disruption of an entire country and region “of the sort that we haven't seen very often in modern history.”
Pres. Obama expressed “deepest condolences to the thousands who died from this deadly disease. Their families obviously continue to grieve.”

He commended President Sirleaf for her “extraordinary leadership” and the heroism of so many people in Liberia in the fight against Ebola.
He said this and the actions of the United States and other international partners have resulted in “the extraordinary strides made in driving back Ebola.”

Obama said he was “happy that normal life is beginning to return to Liberia, with children beginning to go back to school and people beginning to attend soccer matches.”

 He also expressed joy that businesses are reopening and that the flow and rhythm of normal life has begun to return.
“So we are very proud of what Liberia has accomplished, and we've been very proud to be partners with Liberia in that process,” President Obama further noted.

The U.S President, however, noted that the international community’s job is not yet done, as long as neighboring countries like Guinea and Sierra Leone are still somewhat behind the progress that has been made in Liberia.
LINA