Monrovia, Liberia - Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is expected to hold bilateral talks next week with Israeli government officials during a state visit to the Middle East. The visit, which begins on Sunday, November 18, comes at the invitation of Israeli President Shimon Peres. It will involve talks with leading Israeli government officials including the country’s Prime Minister, Mr. Ehud Olmert, President Shimon Peres, and the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Mrs. Dalia Itzik and Foreign Minister, Mrs. Tzipi Livni.
The four-day visit to the Middle East will also take President Johnson Sirleaf to the Palestinian territory where she will hold talks with Palestinian officials, including the Chairman of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas
An Executive Mansion release says discussions between President Johnson Sirleaf and Israeli officials will focus on possible Israeli assistance to the development of Liberia’s diamond industry and the country’s agricultural sector. Accompanied by National Investment Commission Chairman, Richard Tolbert, the Ministers of Agriculture, Defense, Lands Mines and Energy, President Johnson Sirleaf and Israel are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding covering the Diamond Sector.
While in Israel, the Liberian leader will also deliver the keynote address at the opening session of an International Women’s Leadership Conference.
The ambassadors of Libya, Lebanon and Egypt’s Charges d’Affaires accredited near Monrovia welcomed news of the President’s visit and expressed the hope that it will help strengthen ongoing peace efforts in the region.
The African Union, ECOWAS and other relevant authorities have also been briefed on President Johnson Sirleaf’s visit to the Middle East. The President departed the country Friday evening. During her absence from the country, the Cabinet will conduct the affairs of state under the chairmanship of Internal Affairs Minister, Ambulai Johnson, in consultation with the Vice President, Dr. Joseph Boakai.