The Republic of Congo has rejoined the Kimberly Process, a global watchdog group designed to stop the flow of conflict diamonds. Analysts say the move shows controls on the diamond trade in the country are improving, but warn that there is still much to be done to regulate the diamond industry, both in Congo and around the world.

Gareth Penny, De Beers Group managing director, called on European, Israeli and American diamond traders to support Africa's efforts to cut and polish its own diamonds.

Beginning Monday, Liberians can start applying for licenses to mine, sell, or broker for diamonds. This follows the weekend lifting of a six-year moratorium on the trade in diamonds.

The European Court of Justice has overturned the European Commission's ruling restricting diamond giant De Beers from buying rough diamonds from Russian Alrosa.

The World Diamond Council, the association responsible for regulating the global diamond trade, has singled out Zimbabwe and Venezuela for not meeting global standards aimed at curtailing the trade in so-called conflict diamonds. VOA's Jim Teeple reports from Jerusalem, where the leaders of the world diamond trade wrapped up their annual meeting on Thursday.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf opened 10 diamond screening and evaluation offices across Liberia, marking the first step toward restarting the industry in the war-decimated West African country following the removal of a six-year ban by the United Nations.