MONROVIA, February 28 (LINA) - Defense Minister Brownie Samukai has thanked the American Government and people for their intervention that has enabled Liberia to “turn the corner” in the fight against the Ebola virus.

 
Samukai noted that the arrival of the 101 Airborne Division of the American military in Liberia sparked the liberation of the people from the disease, according to a Defense Ministry release issued Friday in Monrovia and quoted by the Liberia News Agency.
 
He made the remarks Thursday at the Ministry of National Defense during a cocktail dinner tendered in honor of Major General Gary Volesky and the men and women of the Airborne Division for their humanitarian services to the people of Liberia.  
 
Minister Samukai, who is also Acting Chairman of the Cabinet, said that although the war waged on the Liberian people by the Ebola virus was unexpected, through the “astute” leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the nation is on the verge of defeating the virus.
 
Also speaking at the occasion, Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan described the period of the Ebola attack as a “trying time” not only for the Liberian nation, but also for the global community.
   
Ngafuan then paid homage to Major General Volesky and his team for the humanitarian sacrifices rendered in Liberia, adding, “You came at the darkest hour of our existence as a nation but you are about leaving us with light.”
 
For his part, Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly acknowledged the support of the American government and people by their “quality representation” in the fight aimed at eradicating the Ebola Virus disease from the country.
LINA