—- Consoles Turkey and Syria Following Devastating Earthquake

IPNEWS: The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has departed Liberia for the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

President Weah, who departed Tuesday, February 7, 2023, will join other leaders from around the world, mainly the West African sub-region, to participate in the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Award to be held in the City of Yamoussoukro.

On the margins of the Peace Award, President Weah will hold discussions with his counterparts including Macky Sall of Senegal, Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, and Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire on peace, democracy, and security in the region.

While President Weah is away, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean will act as chair of the cabinet in close consultation with the Vice President via mobile phone contact with President.

The Liberian Leader is expected to return home on Thursday, February 9, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Liberian leader has conveyed profound sympathy to the governments and peoples of Turkey and Syria following heavy loss of lives from a massive earthquake that struck the two countries early on Monday.
The Earthquake, which measured 7.8 magnitude, is said to be one of the largest that has hit the region, killing thousands of people in both Turkey and neighboring Syria.
It was followed by powerful aftershocks that resulted in enormous damage to infrastructure in the affected areas.
President Weah has said Liberia stands in solidarity with Turkey and Syria during this difficult period for the two nations and offered to support in whatever way may be deemed necessary. He said Turkey has been a true friend and partner in Liberia’s development drive and that it was very sad to see them grapple with such a natural disaster.
The World Health Organization has expressed fears that the death toll, which currently stands at nearly three thousand people, could “rise eight folds” as rubbles are cleared.