October 15, 2003	Wednesday	Sha'aban 18, 1424

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 14: The United Nations Security Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution for the deployment of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) outside Kabul.

The resolution cited the importance of extending the government’s authority throughout the country and providing security for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts. The 15-0 vote on the new resolution, which extended the force’s mandate another 12 months, was unanimous.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization had recommended that the troops move out from the capital but said that UN Council authorization would be needed.

The resolution stressed “the importance of extending central government authority to all parts of Afghanistan” and authorized expansion of ISAF’s mandate “to allow it, as resources permit, to support the Afghan Transitional Authority and its successors in the maintenance of security in the areas of Afghanistan outside Kabul and its environs, so that the Afghan authorities as well as the personnel of the Untied Nations and other international civilian personnel engaged in the reconstruction and humanitarian efforts, can operate in a secure environment.”