UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the announcement by the World Health Organization marking the end of Ebola transmission in Liberia.

For the first time since the devastating outbreak began, all known chains of transmission of Ebola in West Africa have been stopped and no new cases have been reported since the end of November, said a statement by Ban's spokesman.

Commending the national authorities of the affected countries and the local communities, Ban acknowledged "the vital role played by the health workers and burial teams in the Ebola response," the statement said.

Moreover, Ban expressed "his gratitude to the many regional and international partners who have supported the response," it added.

The two-year Ebola epidemic has killed 11,000 people and triggered a global health alert, with Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone being the hardest-hit countries.

The UN chief also called on the international community to continue supporting the affected countries so that they can rapidly respond to any future flare-ups and provide comprehensive support to all survivors, said the statement.

The United Nations will stand firm with Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the entire region as they move ahead along the path toward social and economic recovery, it said.