The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Thursday
extending for an extra 12 months the mandate of the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The decision allowed the UN mission to continue providing
political and strategic guidance to the Afghan leadership and its
international partners as they embark on the ambitious next phase
of rebuilding Afghanistan.
In the resolution, the council called on all Afghan parties and
groups to engage constructively in the peaceful political
development of the country and avoid resorting to violence.
The 15-nation council reiterated its call on the Afghan
government, and on all members of the international community and
international organizations, to implement the Afghanistan Compact
-- a five-year framework for the country's development.
The plan was adopted at an international meeting in London at
the end of January to help consolidate democratic institutions,
curb insecurity, control the illegal drug trade, stimulate the
economy, enforce the law, provide basic services to the Afghan
people and protect their human rights.
The United Nations established UNAMA in March 2002 to help
Afghanistan rebuild after decades of destructive civil war. The
mission currently has more than 200 staff members.
(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2006)
