U.N. May Lift Liberia Diamond Ban

Saying Liberia has made enough progress to comply with Kimberley Process standards, the United States introduced a resolution to the U.N. Security Council Wednesday that, if approved, would allow the West African nation to resume diamond exports.

Liberia’s president has lobbied hard for an end to the embargo, saying revenues from diamonds are badly needed to finance reconstruction in a country wracked by a 14-year civil war that ended in 2003.

Speakers at talks following the introduction of the draft resolution seemed to favor easing the ban. Following more talks, the resolution could be adopted in the next few days.

"Liberia has put all the required safety nets in place and the Kimberley Process has given them a clean bill of health, so Liberia will no longer be associated with blood diamonds," said South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo.

Reuters reported that, if passed, the resolution would call on the Kimberley Process to report to the Security Council within 90 days on Liberia's compliance, after which the council would review its decision to lift the ban.

A ban on timber exports from the country has already been lifted.