UN Security Council extends mandate for international Afghan force
New York - The UN Security Council on Monday voted to keep international troops in Afghanistan for another year and called on countries to boost their force commitments to deal with growing instability.
The 15-nation council's unanimous decision extends the mandate of the NATO-led force until at least October 2009. The council said more troops and equipment were needed to meet the mission's "operational requirements." A Taliban resurgence has sparked an uptick in violence in Afghanistan since the spring.
The UN ambassadors of Afghanistan and the United States, which has more forces than any other in the country, said they were pleased with the UN decision and warned that stabilizing Afghanistan was crucial for the wider region. (dpa)
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