Iraq: Renewed Mandate for Multinational Force

Iraq: Security Council Renews Mandate of Multinational Force for Another Year

New York, Nov 29 2006 12:00PM

At the request of the Iraqi Government, the United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the three-year-old United States-led multinational force (MNF) in the war-torn country by another year, until the end of 2007.

The 15-member body unanimously approved the renewal after Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki sent it a letter warning that Iraq could not establish a peaceful democracy without international help. The Council voted to review the mandate at the Government’s request, or no later than 15 June, and to terminate it earlier if the Government so desires.

Under resolution 1723 adopted yesterday, the Council also decided to extend until 31 December 2007 arrangements for depositing proceeds from export sales of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas into the Development Fund of Iraq (DFI), which was established in May 2003 to administer them.

In his letter, Mr. Al-Maliki committed his Government to continue increasing the number of governorates fully under the control of Iraqi authorities.

“We have agreed on three common goals: first, assumption by Iraq of recruiting, training, equipping and arming of Iraqi security forces; second, assumption by Iraq of command and control over Iraqi forces; and third, transferring responsibility for security to the Government of Iraq,” he wrote.

“The people of Iraq are determined to establish a stable and peaceful democracy for themselves and a proper basis for building a vital economy. This vision for the future of Iraq cannot become a reality without the help of the international community,” he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a letter to the Council pledged her Government’s support for the goals cited by Mr. Al-Maliki. “The strong partnership between the Government of Iraq and MNF is a vital factor in fulfilling these goals,” she wrote. “Together we will build towards the day when the Iraqi forces assume full responsibility for the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq.”

ENDS

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