The President, Mrs McAleese, has strongly endorsed the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, and has said the world's problems are best solved by nations working together within the UN framework.
Her comments, made in an address to Irish troops in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, come at a time when Britain and the US continue to face isolation from much of the international community because of their decision to invade Iraq without UN sanction. Mr Annan is currently the victim of a US-led campaign to drive him from office amid allegations of corruption involving the organisation's oil-for-food programme in Iraq.
However, Mrs McAleese took the opportunity of her pre-Christmas address to the Irish troops at Camp Clara to make clear her support for Mr Annan.
"Under the steady guidance of Secretary-General Annan, the UN is itself undergoing a period of critical self-examination destined to make it even stronger, even more effective in its work of care for the world.
"Ireland has actively supported this process for we believe the world's problems are best solved by a thoroughly effective and efficient United Nations backed by the robust support of the nations of the world," she said.
She distributed cards and presents to the Irish soldiers from their families back home. The 430 Irish personnel in Liberia were conducting themselves with "exceptional respect and humanity" and, like no other military deployed in the country, had volunteered to work at a local hospice for HIV/AIDS sufferers.
Mrs McAleese was speaking at the conclusion of a two-day trip to west Africa, which took in Liberia and Senegal.
Yesterday she visited a number of sites in Monrovia amid tight security following the death of 16 people during rioting in the city in October.Dozens of armed Irish troops in military vehicles, backed by soldiers in armoured personnel carriers, escorted the President and Dr Martin McAleese around the city.