U.N. extends security forces' tour

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council has extended the tour of duty for NATO-led security forces in Afghanistan for another year, citing rising terrorism.

In extending the mission for the International Security Assistance Force, the Security Council also called for the forces to be strengthened because of increased violence and terrorism threats from Taliban, al-Qaida and drug smugglers, the United Nations said in a news release.

The International Security Assistance Force, currently with 47,600 personnel on the ground, was established after U.S.-led forces ousted the Taliban regime in 2001 to help the then-interim government maintain security across Afghanistan..

In the resolution adopted Monday, the 15-member Security Council recognized "the need to further strengthen ISAF to meet all its operational requirements and in this regard calls upon member states to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources."

The 12-month extension begins Oct. 13.