UN workers, as well as about 500 foreigners, were evacuated June 9 as fighting intensified between fighters loyal to President Charles Taylor and rebels who control most of the country.
In a letter to the UN Security Council, Annan said: "I have instructed my special representative to expedite the return of all United Nations agencies' humanitarian assistance to the people of Liberia".
Annan said he had ordered top UN officials who had been in Liberia "who were recently evacuated along with other United Nations personnel to return immediately to Monrovia and assist in the preparations for the return to Liberia of United Nations and associated personnel".
UN personnel were evacuated June 9 along with other foreigners by French troops.
The UN secretary general also said he would name Jacques Klein, a US diplomat, as his special representative for Liberia.
Klein previously held a similar position for the United Nations in Bosnia.
Annan also announced he has sent Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, his representative for West Africa, to Accra to support peace negotiations under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States, or Ecowas.
Annan's decision, which surprised UN diplomats, was made shortly after a US military mission began work to assess humanitarian and security needs in Liberia and US President George W Bush pledged to take part in peace efforts there without specifically offering to send troops.
Annan had suggested last month that the US lead a peacekeeping force in Liberia, where embattled Liberian leader Charles Taylor controls only a fifth of his country after the latest in a series of civil wars.
The US has a close historical relationship with Liberia, founded by freed black slaves in the 19th century.
Bush meanwhile began his first official tour of Africa in Senegal, pledging help to end the Liberian war without stating whether he would commit troops in a proposed peacekeeping force.
In Dakar, he said he had discussed Liberia with Ghana's President John Kufuor, the current head of the 15-nation Ecowas, which is trying to broker peace in Liberia.
"I told him we would participate with (the group). We are now in the process of determining the extent of our participation ... to maintain the ceasefire and to allow for a peaceful transfer of power," Bush said. - Sapa-AFP.
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