Security Council unanimously renews UN mission in Iraq for another year

The Security Council today unanimously renewed for a further year the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), whose tasks range from coordinating various humanitarian operations to helping the war-torn country draft a new constitution and organize fresh elections by the end of the year.

“The United Nations should play a leading role in assisting the efforts of the Iraqi people and Government in developing institutions for representative government, and in promoting national dialogue and unity,” Resolution 1619 stated, reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

“This Iraqi national dialogue, which UNAMI should assist, is crucial for Iraq’s political stability and unity,” it stressed, adding that the Council intended to review the mandate of UNAMI in 12 months or sooner, if requested by the Government of Iraq.

The mission was initially established for a 12-month period by Security Council resolution 1500 of 14 August 2003, when Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for it to have a staff of over 300, both international and local.