Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia's Unity Party receives 59.4 percent the total valid votes cast Nov. 22, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua)

    UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the final result of the presidential elections in Liberia, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday.

    Liberia's National Elections Commission announced the official results from the Liberian presidential run-off elections, which show that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of the Unity Party received 59.4 percent and George Weah of the Congress for Democratic Change 40.6 percent of the total valid votes cast.

    In a statement issued by the spokesman, Annan extended his warm congratulations to Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on her election as Africa's first woman head of state in the modern era.

    The secretary general noted that the National Elections Commission will continue to conduct active and open hearings on the complaints received concerning the conduct of the run-off elections, in accordance with the established legal procedures, Dujarric said.

    The secretary general also urged a timely conclusion of this important process in order to allow all Liberians to focus on the urgent tasks of national reconciliation, reconstruction and good governance, the spokesman added.

    "The Secretary-General wishes to assure the newly-elected government of the continued support of the United Nations, as Liberia lays the foundations for lasting political stability and sustainable economic development," Dujarric noted. Enditem

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