Liberian President Vows to Include Rivals in New Government

Posted November 11th, 2011 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
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Newly re-elected Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is promising to try and unite the country by including her rivals in the new government.

President Sirleaf said late Thursday that she intends to reach out to Liberians from all political parties and ensure that they have a stake in the future, including members of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change .

According to nearly complete results, Mrs. Sirleaf won more than 90 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election.

Election officials expect to release the final tally on Friday.

The leader of the CDC, Winston Tubman, boycotted the run-off election after claiming it was rigged in favor of President Sirleaf. Mr. Tubman said he will not accept the results.

Election observers from the Carter Center said Thursday the run-off was credible and met international standards for democratic elections.

The U.S.-based monitoring group said democracy in Liberia still faces “important challenges.” But the Carter Center dismissed as “unsubstantiated” claims by Mr. Tubman that the election process was seriously flawed.

President Sirleaf says she will address the country after the final results are released late Friday.