Citing "grossly insufficient" evidence, Liberia's electoral body on Friday dismissed football legend George Weah's fraud claims over the presidential run-off that gave his rival, Harvard-trained economist Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf a commanding win.

Joseph Blidi, the National Electoral Commission's (NEC) presiding officer, told a news conference in Monrovia that the evidence adduced by Weah's party in their complaint over the November 8 run-off were only "some errors" and could not "constitute massive fraud."

Johnson-Sirleaf had been officially declared the winner of Liberia's presidential run-off at an official ceremony in Monroviaon November 23 despite Weah's fraud claims. She will be sworn in on January 16.

Earlier this week, Weah's supporters clashed with Liberian and UN police in the Liberian capital. The African Union and the United Nations have urged Weah to respect the final election results.

Weah may choose to take up the case with the Supreme Court now if he does not feel satisfied with the NEC's conclusion.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2005)