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