President Barack Obama lauded the  "heroism" of Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Thursday.

He said her  commitment to democracy stood as an example for other troubled African nations.
   
Obama met Sirleaf in the Oval Office, and pledged the United States would stand with Liberia at every step of the way of its democratic development.
   
"I have been an extraordinary admirer of her work for many years now....  The United States and Liberia are close friends, longstanding partners, and  Liberia is now emerging from a very difficult period," Obama said.
   
"Part of the reason it has been able to emerge is because of the heroism and courage of President Sirleaf."
   
"She is committed to the rule of law, made strides in reforming the  judiciary and in all these endeavors I want to make sure the people of Liberia  understand... that the United States is a constant friend and partner."
   
Obama said Sirleaf's example should be taken as inspiration to other  African nations including, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Niger.
   
Sirleaf said her country had made important progress, and she thanked Obama  for his and America's support.
   
Africa's first elected female head of state, Sirleaf said that she would  not hide the fact that Liberia had challenges, but added that all basic  freedoms were alive in her country today.
   
"We said that we were going to make Liberia rise again. I come today on  behalf of the Liberian people to say that we have made a lot of progress," she said.
   
Earlier Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Sirleaf to discuss elections  next year in the west African country and various other issues, a statement  said.
 
“We discussed Liberia's preparations for national elections in 2011, progress on judicial and police reforms, and efforts to fight against  official corruption," Clinton said.
   
The United States earlier this year threw its support behind Sirleaf's 2011  re-election bid, with Clinton praising her role in combating gender violence,  and creating special programs for the protection of women and children affected  by violence during 14 years of brutal civil wars.

Source: AFP