UN Security Council renews mandate of UN mission in Iraq

The UN Security Council on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) until July 31, 2017.

The 15-nation UN council recognized the security of UN personnel is essential for UNAMI to carry out its work for the benefit of the people of Iraq and called upon the government of Iraq to continue to provide security and logistical support for the UN presence in Iraq, the resolution said.

The Security Council reiterated its grave concern over the current security situation in Iraq as a result of the continuing presence of and the threat by the terrorist groups, in particular the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as Da'esh, and associated armed groups, the resolution said.

"The presence of ISIL (Da'esh) on Iraq's sovereign territory is a major threat to Iraq's future, underscoring that the only way to address this threat is for all Iraqis to work together by addressing needs in security as well as the political realm," the resolution said.

UNAMI is a political mission established in 2003 by the Security Council at the request of the government of Iraq.

It is mandated to advise and assist the government and people of Iraq on a number of fronts, including advancing inclusive, political dialogue and national reconciliation, assisting in the electoral process and in the planning for a national census, facilitating regional dialogue between Iraq and its neighbours, and promoting the protection of human rights and judicial and legal reform. Endit