United States 43rd President George W. Bush and delegations depart Liberia today after eight hours of visit to the war-injured country. During his visit to Liberia, President Bush recommitted his Government support to Liberia reconstruction drive and expressed the hope that United States Government will stand with the people of Liberia in its recovery drive.

Amidst tight security restriction designed to accompany President Bush visit, thousand of Liberians stood the major highways and streets to have a glance at the World most popular leader. President Bush and party arrived at the Robert International Airport on early Thursday morning by a 747 Air Force Presidential Jet where he and his delegations disembarked the giant size Presidential plane and later embarked the Marine helicopter for center Monrovia due to the sub-standard condition of the James Spring Airport in Monrovia.

President Bush and party later arrived in Monrovia and were received by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. After a brief ceremony at the James Spring Airport in Monrovia, President George Bush and delegations got on board a Presidential convoy where they were driven to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Barclay Training Center and the campuses of the University of Liberia.

At the Barclay Training Center where the Armed Forces of Liberia is currently undergoing its rehabilitation exercises, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told the American President that Liberia is on the road to recovery. She said Liberia’s urgent need is the development of its potential and ability to engage extended initiative instead of depending on handout. She reaffirmed that Liberia is on the way to recovery with the support of the United States Government.

For his part, the President of the United States of America, George Bush said Liberians must understand that America is standing by them in the recovery process of their country. He said it is easy to tear apart a country than to rebuild it. President Bush also acknowledged significant progress made since the inception of the Unity Party led Government. He made special emphasis on the educational system in Liberia and pledged one million textbook in the next school year and ten thousand chairs to schools in Liberia as his initial contribution to education in post conflict Liberia.

The fifteen hours job carried out in eight hours visit of President George Bush was accompany by Mrs. Laura Bush, the wife of President George Bush ; Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of States and other dignitaries of the United State Government.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Forum for the Establishment of a war-crime court in Liberia, Mr. Mulbah Morlu was earlier arrested and released by Officers of the Liberia national Police. According to information gathered, Mr. Morlu was arrested for sabotage and hindering law enforcement in Liberia. Before President Bush visit, Mr. Morlu and his Forum for the establishment of a war-crime court in Liberia organized a plan demonstration ahead of the visit of the United States President to present a petition to President Bush for his indulgence in establishing a war-crime court in Liberia.

After his release, Mr. Morlu expressed shark and disappointment in the current leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf over the constant violation of his fundamental rights. He vowed to intensify his campaign and advocacy for the establishment of a war-crime court in Liberia.

President Bush completed his tour of Africa after visiting Rwanda, Benin, Ghana, Tanzania and Liberia. Source : The Liberian Times, February 21, 2008