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New Liberian President Sends Hopeful Message

According to a UN refugee agency, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia`s new and first female president, is urging nearly 200,000 of her people scattered across West Africa to return home and rebuild their lives and country. Johnson-Sirleaf won Liberia`s first post-war elections following a 14-year war that killed nearly 250,000 people and forced another million to flee from their homes.

In a video message to her people Johnson-Sirleaf said, "Please be assured that your government wants you home. It will work with you to resettle you in your community, identify employment opportunities, help you obtain those basic services that will enable you to live a normal life."

First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice traveled to Liberia to attend the inauguration. Liberia was originally founded by former U.S. slaves, but it has suffered from many years of war. Last year`s election between Johnson-Sirleaf and a former soccer star was bitterly contested by the latter, but it was determined that Africa`s now first female president won the election fair and square.