April 29, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1428

NEW YORK: The UN Security Council on Friday voted to lift its six-year-old ban on the export of diamonds from Liberia that was introduced to stop proceeds from the sale of these so-called “blood diamonds” from fuelling wars across West Africa.

In a resolution adopted unanimously, the Council agreed that Liberia has made enough progress towards establishing the necessary internal controls to satisfy the minimum requirements of the Kimberley Process to justify ending the embargo.

However, the 15-member body also agreed to review, if necessary, its decision to lift the embargo within 90 days.

Started in 2000 by southern African diamond-producing countries, the Kimberley Process led to the adoption in November 2002 in Interlaken, Switzerland, of the international Certification Scheme for rough diamonds, based primarily on national certification schemes and on internationally-agreed minimum standards.

Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom, which holds the rotating Council presidency for this month, said after Saturday’s resolution that he was hopeful Liberia would soon fully join the Kimberley Process. “That’s a reflection of our confidence in that country (and) in its leadership, and I wish that it should now progress quickly,” Mr Jones Parry said.

Liberian Ambassador Lami Kawah said the decision “means a lot to Liberia and the people of Liberia as we move forward,” adding that the government was happy to continue with the monitoring process over its diamond trade. Pakistani peacekeeping troops played a vital role in restoring order in the African country.