The Liberian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, says he will represent the supreme interest of Liberia by encouraging increased bilateral cooperation to enhance sisterly relations between the two countries.

His statement was contained in a speech delivered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently after he was commissioned by the President of Liberia as Ambassador to Nigeria. According to a Foreign Ministry press release, Ambassador Conteh pledged to work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him by President Johnson-Sirleaf.

The Liberian diplomat who also has oversight responsibility for Togo and Benin said he looks forward to working with the Government of His Excellency, President Umara Musa Yar Adua, whose inspiring leadership in Nigeria and the sub- region, has been instrumental in sustaining peace in Liberia.

Ambassador Conteh also promised to uphold the guarding principles of Liberian Foreign Policy including maintenance of national security, preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, promotion of peace and harmony based on the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and the virtue of liberal democracy.

Dr. Conteh, who until his preferment by the President, served as President of the University of Liberia, further promised to work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Refining Company (NNPC) through the Government of Nigeria, in the current reform and restructure process of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) as well as to seek increased Nigeria technical know-how in business and trade to help boost the Liberian economy.

He said he will pursue good neighbourliness, sub-regional peace and security within the context of the African Union Chapter and the Treaty of ECOWAS of which Liberia is signatory to achieve his objectives.