Security Council authorizes 1-year extension of international force in Afghanistan
With the situation in Afghanistan still constituting a threat to global peace and security, the United Nations Security Council today authorized the extension of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the country until 20 December 2003.
With the situation in Afghanistan still constituting a threat to global peace and security, the United Nations Security Council today authorized the extension of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the country until 20 December 2003.
In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council authorized ISAF to take "all necessary measures" to fulfil its mandate. It also called on Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the Force, and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established under a previous resolution that defined the Force's authorization.
The Council also welcomed a joint letter from the Foreign Ministers of Germany and the Netherlands to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressing the willingness of their countries to jointly assume from Turkey the lead in commanding the Force.
ISAF's establishment was initially called for in the Bonn Agreement, which forms the basis for Afghanistan's political transition, to assist in the maintenance of security for Kabul and its surrounding areas until new Afghan security and armed forces are fully constituted and functioning.