Un Security Council Extends Mandate Of Mission In Iraq

[News_Editor]

UN Security Council extends mandate of mission in Iraq < br />

2012-07-27 01:42:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday extended the mandate of the UN mission in Iraq for another year and urged all communities in the country to participate in the political process and an inclusive political dialogue.

The 15-member body unanimously adopted Resolution 2061 (2012) to extend authorization for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) for twelve months, continuing the current mandate but signalling its intention to review it during the period upon request by the Iraqi government.

The mission was established by the UN Security Council in 2003 at the request of the Iraqi government and is mandated to advise and assist in a number of areas, such as the advancement of political dialogue and national reconciliation, assisting in the electoral process, facilitating regional dialogue between Iraq and its neighbors, and promoting the protection of human rights and judicial and legal reform.

In the resolution, the UN Security Council encouraged the Iraqi government to continue strengthening democracy and the rule of law, improving security and public order, and combating terrorism and sectarian violence across the country. The body also reiterated its support to the Iraqi government in its efforts to build a secure, stable, federal, united and democratic nation, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights.

But the UN Security Council also underscored the need for all communities in Iraq to participate in the political process and an inclusive political dialogue, as well as for the communities to refrain from making statements and actions which could aggravate tensions. The resolution also calls for communities to reach a comprehensive solution on the distribution of resources and to work towards national unity.

The Council further welcomed improvements in the country's security situation, although it stressed that challenges to security still exist and that improvements need to be sustained through meaningful political dialogue and national unity. This statement comes just days after a wave of violence killed at least 109 people across the country, making it the deadliest day in more than 2.5 years.

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