Security Council backs retaining UN observers along Iraq-Kuwait border

The Security Council has endorsed a recommendation by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to retain in Kuwait City for a further three months a small logistics headquarters of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) to support UN activities in the region, where the world body is currently concentrating on humanitarian relief.

A letter from the Council President to the Secretary-General released today noted that the Council members concurred with Mr. Annan's recommendation to retain peacekeeping presence until 6 July.

Mr. Annan withdrew all UNIKOM personnel from the border region on the eve of hostilities in Iraq but maintained a small headquarters consisting of 12 military officers, 20 essential civilian staff and some local personnel in Kuwait City.

UNIKOM was set up in 1991 after the war that followed Iraq's invasion of Kuwait to monitor the demilitarized zone between the two countries.