UN votes to extend Nato authorisation in Afghanistan

The UN Security Council voted last night to extend the authorisation of the Nato-led force in Afghanistan, ahead of a high-level meeting to focus on promoting national reconciliation in the country.

The vote was 14-0 with Russia abstaining because of concerns over an expression of appreciation for the Japanese naval mission supporting US-led forces in Afghanistan, which has become an issue in Japanese politics.

Diplomats said the sentence expressing appreciation to Nato and contributors to the force, “including its maritime interdiction component”, was added to boost the Japanese government which wants to continue the naval mission in the face of objections from the opposition party.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow traditionally supported the Nato-led force, which he said continues to be important in fighting the Taliban and al Qaida.

But Churkine said Russia abstained because the issue of maritime interception was not clarified, and the resolution “should not have given priority to domestic considerations”.

The resolution extending the mandate for a year reiterates the UN’s concern about “the increased violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, al Qaida, illegally armed groups and those involved in the narcotics trade”.