Annan worried about S Leone stability

S Leone is recovering from a prolonged civil war

By Mike Fox BBC correspondent at UN headquarters

The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned that the civil war in Liberia could derail the fragile recovery of its neighbour, Sierra Leone.

Mr Annan gave the warning in a progress report on the UN's mission in Sierra Leone which follows a prolonged civil war there.

He praised the political parties for their conduct in the country's recent general elections held in May and for respecting the result.

But he said the country's continuing stability also depended on building an effective police and army.

Vicious cycle

Mr Annan's report makes clear the many challenges still facing the country.

Annan praised the recent elections

His main concern is the civil war in Liberia and the growing numbers of incursions by armed men across the border.

Mr Annan warns that there is a real risk that Liberia and Sierra Leone could be trapped in a vicious cycle with civil war continuously swinging back and forth between the two countries.

Last month, the UN Security Council warned that the Liberian President, Charles Taylor, was still supporting rebels inside Sierra Leone.

Lack of funds

Mr Annan gave his backing to efforts by West African leaders to negotiate a ceasefire in Liberia.

His other main concern for Sierra Leone is the ability of the country's army and police to be able to take over from the 17,000 peacekeepers stationed in the country, the largest force currently deployed by the UN.

He says training from the British army had helped turn the country's soldiers into a more effective force.

But he said a national strategy was needed in order to start a transfer of responsibilities from the UN troops.

But infrastructure problems, including Sierra Leone's poor road system, made that job more difficult.

Mr Annan also pointed to a lack of funds which was delaying the resettlement of thousands of former combatants.

He said those waiting to join the programme were another threat to the stability of the country.