NATO-led forces to remain in Afghanistan another year
By DPA, IANSWednesday, October 13, 2010
NEW YORK - The UN Security Council decided Wednesday to extend the mandate of NATO-led military forces in Afghanistan another 12 months so they can continue work on strengthening Afghan security.
The mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was extended until Oct 13, 2011. ISAF’s 120,000 troops are mostly from NATO and the US, which have been engaged in providing security for the government in Kabul and fighting the Taliban.
The 15-nation council said in a resolution it adopted unanimously that ISAF needs further strengthening to meet “all its operational requirements”.
The council asked ISAF to “train, mentor and empower the Afghan national security forces … towards the goal of a self-sufficient, accountable and ethnically balanced Afghan security forces”.
The council voiced “strong concern” over the security situation in Afghanistan and the increased violence and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other illegal armed groups and criminals.
It called on the Afghan parties to “engage constructively in peaceful political dialogue”.
