UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22: The UN Security Council on Monday extended for one year the mandate of Nato’s International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) battling extremists in Afghanistan, but expressed concern about the high number of civilian casualties.

The 15-member council unanimously adopted resolution 1833 that extended the authorization of Isaf “for a period of 12 months beyond Oct 13, 2008.” But it also expressed “serious concern with the high number of civilian casualties” in Isaf’s battle to tackle “increased threats posed by the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other extremist groups.”

Libya’s UN delegate Ibrahim Dabbashi said after the vote that while he voted in favour of the resolution: “My country would like to express its concern with regard to the increased number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan due to the operation by the multinational forces.

“Fighting terrorism does not justify in any way the killing of civilians,” he added.Dabbashi urged the multinational forces to “take all necessary measures to guarantee adequate protection for the Afghan civilians during their operations” and said the human rights of the Afghan people must be protected and guaranteed.

“The use of force cannot lead to peace and security in Afghanistan if used alone and in isolation from a comprehensive dialogue with a view to achieving national reconciliation among all factions of the Afghan people without exception,” the Libyan delegate said.

However, the resolution made it clear that member states taking part in Isaf are authorised “to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate”.

It recognised the need to further strengthen Isaf to meet all its operational requirements

—AFP