President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Chad on the observance of the 56^th Independence Anniversary of that country.

Chad, a landlocked nation in north-central Africa, celebrates its Independence Day every year on August 11 to commemorate its freedom from France in 1960.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to the President of the Republic of Chad, His Excellency Mr. Idriss Deby, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in her own name, extended her heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Chadian leader, and through him, to the Government and people of Chad as they celebrate this historic event.

The Liberian leader indicated that as they work together to strengthen the bond of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, it is her fervent hope that the Almighty Allah will endow the Chadian President, H.E. Mr. Deby, with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his people to sustainable peace and greater prosperity.