Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Abyei

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Monday decided to renew for 12 months the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to enable the mission to continue implementing tasks in accordance with the resolutions.

Unanimously adopting Resolution 2660, the Security Council decided to extend UNISFA's mandate modification set forth in Resolution 2024, providing support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism.

It also decided to maintain the authorized troop and police ceilings and expressed its intention to remain in consideration of the recommendations.

According to the text, the council further urged the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to provide full support for the implementation of its mandate and deployment of its personnel. In accordance with their primary responsibility as host states and the status of forces agreements, it called on the governments to facilitate the smooth functioning of all UNISFA bases and Joint Border Verification team sites.

Also, the council reiterated that the Abyei Area shall be demilitarized from any forces, including the armed elements of the local communities, other than UNISFA and the Abyei Police Service when it is gradually established. In this regard, it urged the governments of the two countries and the local communities to take all the necessary steps.