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UN Security Council extends mission's mandate in Liberia

Xinhua, September 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Determining that the situation in Liberia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, the UN Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) until Sept. 30, 2016.

In the resolution adopted Thursday, the 15-nation body commended "the cooperation between, and significant efforts of, the Government of Liberia and the UNMIL to plan and prepare for the June 30, 2016 security transition to the Liberian authorities."

Moreover, the council affirmed "its expectation that the Government of Liberia will assume fully its complete security responsibilities from UNMIL no later than June 30, 2016," while encouraging member states and multilateral organizations to continue to provide technical and other assistance to the government of Liberia in this regard, said the resolution.

With the Liberian government expected to take over the security responsibilities soon, downsizing UNMIL is one key element of the resolution.

The council decided "to decrease UNMIL's authorized military strength from 3,590 to 1,240 military personnel, which includes one infantry battalion and related enablers, by June 30, 2016," said the resolution.

In addition, the council decided "to decrease UNMIL's authorized police strength from 1,515 to 606 police personnel, which includes three formed police units, as well as immigration and police advisers, by June 30, 2016," it said.

UNMIL was set up in 2003 to bolster a ceasefire agreement after a civil war killed almost 150,000 Liberians -- mostly civilians -- and forced some 850,000 others to flee to neighboring countries. Enditem