"We hope he can share his expertise with us so that our national team can shine again and we will especially be focusing on the 2010 African Cup and World Cup qualifiers," LFA Vice President Pennoh Bestman was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Shawki signed the contract as new boss under a bilateral agreement between Egypt and Liberia, who will only pay for the accommodation and other secondary expenses.

"I'm here to work with you to build a solid team for Liberia," Shawki said following his official introduction.

"I don't see why Liberia is not at the African Cup of Nations right now in my country."

Shawki had spells in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt with the youth ranks.