Liberian Vice President Joseph Boakai on Friday acknowledged former football star George Weah's victory in the presidential election and appealed for unity in the country's first democratic transfer of power in decades.

"I respect the will of the people as announced by the National Electoral Commission," Boakai said, adding that he had called Weah to congratulate him.

"I reject any temptation of imposing pain, hardship, agony and uncertainty," he said. "My name will not be used as (an) excuse for one drop of human blood to be spilt in this country."