U.N. extends and expands Afghan mandate

UNITED NATIONS, March 21 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council Thursday voted to extend its mission to Afghanistan and announced plans to expand political initiatives in the country.

The vote to renew the U.N. mandate in Afghanistan came as the spring season arrives and defense officials expect increased levels of violence. In the face of growing challenges in Afghanistan, U.N. officials announced plans to expand the mission's Afghanistan Compact, to increase international civilian efforts with additional political and reconciliation programs among other initiatives, the United Nations reported.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan was expanded until March 2009. Officials are planning a more enhanced effort to promote benchmarks for security, governance and development.

Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Guehenno recently called on the U.N. Security Council to re-establish its mission and sharpen its focus in Afghanistan with growing threats to security, political instability and corruption allowing for a rampant opium trade.

Officials say the new Afghan mandate is an overall effort to face "the increased violent and terrorist activities by the Taliban, al-Qaida, illegally armed groups, criminals and those involved in the narcotics trade, and the increasingly strong links between terrorism activities and illicit drugs," the resolution said.