The Security Council extended on Friday the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and of the French forces which support it for a period of seven months, until January 24.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1609, the council authorized, for this next period, an increase in the mission's military component of up to 850 additional personnel, as well as an increase in the civilian police component of up to a ceiling of 725 civilian police personnel, and the necessary additional civilian personnel.

The council outlined the mission's mandate, which involves, among other things, monitoring of the cessation of hostilities and movements of armed groups, including monitoring the implementation of the joint declaration of the end of the war of April 6, 2005 and of the comprehensive ceasefire agreement of May 3, 2003.

The mission will also support the government of national reconciliation in the implementation of the national program for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants, paying special attention to the specific needs of women and children, as well as assist with the disarmament and dismantling of militias.

The council will review the troop level of UNOCI by Dec. 31, including the civilian police component, in the light of the situation in Cote d'Ivoire after the forthcoming general elections and on the basis of the tasks remaining to be carried out, with a view to further reduction as appropriate.

Source: Xinhua