US forces to stay on in Iraq

THE UN Security Council voted unanimously yesterday to extend the mandate of the nearly 180,000-strong multi-national force in Iraq for a year, a move the US called a significant signal of international commitment to Iraq’s political transition.

The resolution co-sponsored by the US, Britain, Denmark, Japan and Romania was adopted in response to a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari for the US-led force to remain in the country.

The current mandate authorising the presence of the force expires on December 31 following parliamentary elections in Iraq on December 15 - the end point of the political process as defined by the Security Council. The resolution adopted extends the force’s mandate until December 31, 2006, with a review after eight months.