Security Council extends Afghan mission

The United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan for anothe year from the middle of next month. It called upon UN member states to to make much progress.

Extending the life of the force, ISAF, from 13 October until October of next year, the resolution noted that the responsibility for maintaining law and order ultimately rested with the Afghans themselves.

Expressing its appreciation to Italy for taking over the command of ISAF from Turkey, however, it urged ISAF to work closely with the Afghan government and the special representative of the UN secretary-general, as well as with the Operation Enduring Freedom Coalition on implementing its mandate.

The resolution also requested quarterly reports from ISAF leaders through the secretary-general on the implementation of its mandate.

After the United States-led forces ousted the Taliban government of Afghanistan, ISAF was established in December 2001, initially for 6 months, to assist the Afghan Interim Authority in maintaining security in Kabul and surrounding areas, so that the members of the authority and UN mission personnel could work in a safe environment, the AKI reports.