Security Council backs continuing work of UN Somalia office

The United Nations Security Council has agreed, at the request of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to maintain the current budget of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) through until 2005 as it works to restore peace to the African country.

In an exchange of letters with the Council's President for this month, Ambassador Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins of Angola, Mr. Annan said since 1995, UNPOS has been assisting his efforts to advance the cause of peace and reconciliation in Somalia and that it was his intention to continue the activities of UNPOS for the next two years.

Mr. Annan told the Council that in the past year, UNPOS, together with the UN country team in Somalia, was actively developing a peace-building plan ahead of the Somali National Reconciliation Conference.

Mr. Annan also said he may submit a proposal to the Council to adjust the mandate of the Office and expand its budget if he feels a peace-building office should be set up in Somalia.