The United Nations handed over security control to Liberian forces on June 30, nearly 13 years after it first established a peacekeeping mission in Liberia, the U.N. News Service reported. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said continued improvement in security and stability enabled the handover, making it possible for the U.N. Mission in Liberia to move into its final phase. From today, the U.N. presence in Liberia will be capped at about 1,200 military personnel and 600 police and will play a supporting role only. Still, the secretary-general reminded all stakeholders to remain engaged in maintaining Liberia's stability and supporting its people and government. Liberia was one of the countries hardest hit when Ebola broke out in West Africa in 2014.