UNITED NATIONS, Aug 11: The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously renewed the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Tasks of the mission range from coordinating various humanitarian operations to helping the war-torn country draft a new constitution and organize fresh elections by the end of the year.

“The United Nations should play a leading role in assisting the efforts of the Iraqi people and government in developing institutions for representative government and promoting national dialogue and unity,” Resolution 1619 stated, reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

“This Iraqi national dialogue, which the UN mission should assist, is crucial for Iraq’s political stability and unity,” it stressed, adding that the council intended to review the mandate of the mission in 12 months or sooner, if requested by the government of Iraq.

The mission was initially established for a 12-month period by Security Council resolution 1500 of Aug 14, 2003, when Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for it to have a staff of over 300, both international and local.