The Ebola outbreak is threatening Liberia's existence, the country's defence minister has told the United Nations as the world body looked at further steps to stop the deadly virus.
The hardest-hit country is bracing for more catastrophe with an expected upsurge in cases that have already left upwards of 1200 dead - more than half of the 2288 killed by the disease in West Africa.
"Liberia is facing a serious threat to its national existence," Defense Minister Brownie Samukai told the UN Security Council.
The disease is "now spreading like wildfire, devouring everything in its path", he said.
Liberia's already weak health system is overwhelmed and the country lacks the "infrastructure, logistical capacity, professional expertise and financial resources to effectively address this disease".
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
US Ambassador Samantha Power said more needs to be done to stop the spread of the virus, but emphasised that international organisations like the UN, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, as well as governments around the globe must collectively "be looking at how we up our game".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is planning a "high-level event" on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly later this month to "highlight the needs and required response" to the Ebola crisis, his spokesman said.
