Security Council extends UN mandate for Iraq

United Nations, Aug 8 (PTI) The United Nations Security Council has extended mandate of the world body's mission in Iraq for another year, emphasising the need for the country's stability and security of the region.

The 15-member Council unanimously adopted the resolution to extend the mandate
which was sought by the Iraqi government to enable the political process to
establish a functioning democracy, help sort out internal border problems and
assist in the dialogue with neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, the apparently intractable political differences were highlighted
when the Iraq's parliament adjourned Wednesday without reaching agreement on a
new provincial elections law.

Last week UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned in his quarterly report on
Iraq that, unless a new electoral law was passed in time, Iraqis would be
deprived of the chance to vote this year, which he said could alienate various
communities in the country.

In a statement Thursday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI),
said it hopes that the Iraqi leaders will reach an agreement on outstanding
issues through dialogue as soon as possible to enable elections to take place.

UNAMI stressed that it is trying to encourage the Iraqis to reach a compromise
so that election preparations can move forward as soon as possible. It stands
ready to continue to assist the parties in finding an agreement through the work
of the parliamentary committee, as requested by the Iraqi parliament.

Briefing the Security Council, Lynn Pascoe, the Under-Secretary-General for
Political Affairs, warned that the security situation remains fragile and any
recent gains could be lost unless they are consolidated with political
progress.

"Efforts must now focus on achieving the political gains necessary to build
trust and confidence across community lines, and to improve the quality of life
for all Iraqis, including the delivery of basic services and employment
generation," he said.

After the vote to extend the mandate, this month's President of the Council,
Belgium's Permanent Representative Jan K. F. Grauls, told reporters that it is
"an important decision at an important moment".

"The security situation in Iraq is improving and the UN is playing a very
important role in the political process in Iraq so this was a good day I think
for Iraq. It shows the support of the international community for what they are
doing," he added.