UNITED NATIONS, Nov 8: The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a one-year extension in the mandate of the US-led forces in Iraq. The council voted 15-0 ‘to extend the mandate of the multinational force, as set forth in Resolution 1546 (in 2004), until Dec 2006’.
“The unanimous adoption of this resolution is a vivid demonstration of broad international support for a federal, democratic, pluralistic and unified Iraq,” US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said after the vote.
In a concession to French and Russian objections, Washington had agreed that the council would review the mandate on June 15 of next year.
The resolution, sponsored by the United States, Britain, Japan, Romania and Denmark, said the mandate of the force ‘shall be reviewed at the request of the government of Iraq, or no later than June 15, 2006, and declares that it will terminate this mandate earlier if requested by the government of Iraq.”
It also decided to extend until Dec 31 next year arrangements for depositing into the Development Fund for Iraq proceeds from export sales of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas.
It said provisions for depositing those proceeds shall be reviewed at the request of the Iraqi government, or no later than June 15 next year.
“Addressing these issues now will facilitate continued international support for Iraq’s security,” Mr Bolton said.—AFP
