Liberia's newly appointed top judge vows to speed up trials, address criticisms by activists

MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia's new top judge is vowing to address concerns from human rights groups about lengthy delays for people facing trial.

Newly named Chief Justice Francis Korkpor tells The Associated Press that "justice delayed is justice denied," and is vowing to speed up trials. Korkpor has been serving as the interim chief justice, and previously had been an associate justice of the Supreme Court since the end of Liberia's civil war nearly 10 years ago.

Human rights groups say cases have been allowed to remain on dockets unheard for a long period of time in Liberia.

Korkpor says "the judiciary should be manned by people who are qualified."

Liberia's 14-year civil war ended in 2003, and a decade later the country remains one of the world's poorest.