UNITED NATIONS, Aug 10: The Security Council on Friday unanimously agreed to expand the UN mission in Iraq despite the high level of insecurity in the country and resistance by United Nations staff.

The resolution presented by the United States and Great Britain, approved by all of the council’s 15 members, extends the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which expires on Friday, by one year.

The measure permits the expansion of the UN staff in Iraq and paves the way for a UN special envoy “as circumstances permit” to “advise, support and assist” the Iraqi government in a wide range of matters – political, economic, legal, and human rights among them.

The resolution also underscores the US-led multinational force in Iraq’s “important role” in supporting United Nation’s mission, especially in providing safety for its staff.

“Security is essential for UNAMI to carry out its work on behalf of the people of Iraq,” it says.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said after the vote that the United Nations was “deeply committed” to helping the Iraqis.

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to now enhance where possible our contributions in crucial areas such as national reconciliation, regional dialogue, humanitarian assistance and human rights,” he told reporters.

“A peaceful and prosperous future is for the Iraqis themselves to create, with the international community lending support to their efforts.” US President George W. Bush quickly praised the measure.

“This vote sends an important signal of the United Nations’ commitment to support stability and security in Iraq,” said White House spokesperson Dana Perino, travelling with Bush as the president visits his family’s vacation compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.

The United Nations has allowed a maximum of 65 staffers to reside in Iraq since it ordered most personnel out after their office in Baghdad was bombed on Aug 19, 2003. The truck bomb had killed 22, most notably special envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Currently, there are only 55 UN staffers in the country, 50 in Baghdad and five in Basra. Some 235 UNAMI-affiliated staffers work out of Jordan and Kuwait.

The ceiling for in-country staff could be increased to 95 in October under the new resolution, UN under-secretary general for political affairs Lynn Pascoe said earlier this week.

On Friday at the United Nations, Iraq’s ambassador Hamid al-Bayati endorsed the measure before the council vote.—AFP