Security Council extends mandates of UN missions in Iraq, Cyprus
30 July 2014
The Security Council today unanimously approved resolutions extending the United Nations missions in Iraq and Cyprus,
recognizing the vital role they continue to play in the maintenance of peace and security.
The Council extended the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) until 31 July 2015. In doing so, the 15-member body
called on all political entities to overcome divisions and work together in an inclusive and timely political process
aimed at strengthening Iraq’s national unity.
Recently, the armed group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has taken control of more than a
third of the Iraq’s territory after unleashing a wave of attacks that has taken thousands of lives and displaced more
than 1.2 million people.
Last week, Nickolay Mladenov, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNAMI, called on the Council to
demand that the Islamist forces cease all hostilities and to ensure that those responsible for horrific terrorist acts
are held to account.
Speaking via video-teleconference from Baghdad, Mr. Mladenov said that ISIL aimed to establish a permanent foothold
beyond the control of authorities through terror and violence. The Islamist forces seek to radicalize people and
undermine the Government by exploiting legitimate grievances and manipulating divisions within society.
In extending the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, known as UNFICYP, until 31 January 2015, the Council
acknowledged the progress made so far in the UN-facilitated negotiations aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean
island nation.
At the same time, it noted that this “has not been sufficient and has not yet resulted in a comprehensive and durable
settlement,” and urged the sides to continue their discussions to reach decisive progress on the core issues.
The UN has been facilitating talks between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leadership, with a view to the eventual
establishment of a federal government with a single international personality, consisting of a Turkish Cypriot
Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, each of equal status.
UNFICYP has been deployed in Cyprus since 1964, when inter-communal fighting erupted on the island.
ENDS