UNITED NATIONS, March 20: The UN Security Council unanimously agreed on Thursday to extend the UN mandate in Afghanistan where Nato-led forces are struggling to overcome a surprisingly fierce Taliban insurgency.

All 15 council members voted in favour of a resolution extending the mandate for the UN mission in Afghanistan, known as Unama. It also called for what UN officials have described as a sharpened role for the United Nations’ envoy.

The resolution referred to the council’s “concern about the security situation in Afghanistan, in particular the increased violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, Al Qaeda, illegally armed groups, criminals and ... the narcotics trade.”

Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide to take over from Germany’s Tom Koenigs as the top UN envoy to Afghanistan.

Western diplomats on the council said Eide would have to take on a more active role than Koenigs did in coordinating international civilian and military activities and in working with the Afghan government.

Top UN officials have described the Taliban insurgency as surprisingly resilient and ruthless and recommended increasing coordination between the international community, aid agencies, Afghan government and Nato-led Isaf forces, and expanding UN activities across Afghanistan.—Reuters