The UN Security Council has voted to keep the United Nations mission in Iraq for another year as Baghdad urged the world body to do more to help it transform into a functioning democracy.
The five-year-old UN mission in Iraq, known as UNAMI, is made up of more than 1,000 troops, civilian staff and security personnel. Its mandate was beefed up a year ago to give the body an expanded political role.
Extension of the mandate, due to expire August 10th, was unanimously approved by the 15-nation Security Council yesterday.
"Today's unanimous support for the extension of mandate is a recognition that what happened in Iraq is important for the world," said US ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad. "Everyone wants Iraq to succeed and for the UN to play its role in helping Iraqis."
But, amid stalled provincial elections, Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations said he would like the body to boost its presence and power. Part of the UN's task in Iraq, he said, is to help sort out internal border disputes and aid dialogue with neighbouring countries.
"There is a lot to do," Hamid al-Bayati told reporters.
The resolution says security for UN staff in Iraq, where insurgents continue to attack foreign troops, is "essential." The UN mandate for international troops, which provides security protection for the UN staff, is set to expire in December.
Washington is negotiating a bilateral security agreement with Iraq to cover the period once the mandate for foreign troops expires, and Mr Bayati said an agreement was close on this.
Reuters
