Annan worried Liberia-Guinea rift may harm S.Leone

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 11 (Reuters) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday he hoped reported tensions on the Liberia-Guinea border would not have adverse effects on the situation in civil-war racked Sierra Leone.

Both countries host thousands of refugees from neighboring Sierra Leone.

Annan also expressed relief at the successful rescue at the weekend of six British soldiers and a Sierra Leone officer who had been detained for more than two weeks by renegade troops in Sierra Leone.

He was addressing the first meeting of a group set up to coordinate action among the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the government of Sierra Leone.

ECOWAS countries, which sent a large force to help the Sierra Leone government battle rebels, now has substantial troop contingents serving with the U.N. peacekeeping operation there.

"At this moment, I am particularly concerned about reports of tensions on the border between Liberia and Guinea," said Annan, whose speech was later made public.

"I trust that ECOWAS will do all it can to prevent any deterioration in this situation, which could have an adverse effect on Sierra Leone," he said, pledging the United Nations would do whatever it could to help calm the situation.

Liberia said last Friday it would evacuate its nationals from Guinea, which it accused of harassing Liberians after reported cross-border incursions into Guinea by gunmen.

Annan also said he was sure he spoke for all present "in expressing my relief at ... (the) successful rescue of the six British soldiers and one Sierra Leone officer who had been detained."

"At the same time we must all deeply regret the loss of life involved," he added.

A lightning raid on Sunday by 150 British soldiers, including paratroopers, freed six members of the Royal Irish Regiment and a Sierra Leonean officer held hostage by the self-styled West Side Boys since August 25.

One of the British servicemen taking part in the raid was killed in fighting, in which military sources said 25 rebels were killed and 18 captured, including a key commander.

Military sources said 12 British soldiers were also wounded, one seriously.

Defense sources in London said Britain was reviewing its overall security in the former British colony as a precaution against revenge attacks by the West Side Boys.

They are former allies of the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF) who fought alongside government troops when the RUF resumed fighting in May in violation of a 1999 peace accord and held some 500 U.N. peacekeepers hostage for several weeks.

Annan said he hoped ECOWAS leaders would exert their influence to ensure that the RUF's new leader, Issa Sessay, cooperated fully. Sessay last month replaced former RUF chief Foday Sankoh, who was arrested by the government in May and faces charges for human rights offences.

"Above all, it is crucial that ECOWAS prevail on the RUF to ensure an early return of all weapons and equipment seized from U.N. peacekeepers," Annan said, adding: "This is a real test for the new leaders."

In a statement issued later through a spokesman, Annan said he had been following with concern the "mounting tension between Guinea and Liberia following armed clashes along their common border," as well as reported clashes along the Guinea-Sierra Leone border.

"He is distressed at the loss of life and injuries sustained by innocent villagers," the U.N. spokesman said.

Annan urged the Presidents of Guinea and Liberia "to refrain from any action that might aggravate the situation," the statement said.

He also called on them to fully support the efforts of the current chairman of ECOWAS, President Alphas Oumar Konare of Mali, "to reduce tension and restore peace and security between the two countries."

"The secretary-general is grateful to the government of Guinea for continuing to extend its generous hospitality to refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone and urges the refugees to respect their obligations toward the host country," the U.N. statement concluded.

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