More funds needed for peace-building

UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council says additional money is needed to more effectively assist countries to transition from prolonged conflict to stability.

Officials say if the United Nations is to play a lead role in facilitating the international effort to transition countries from recent conflicts to long-term peace, more funds should be available from the outset for initial operations and also for long-term support, the United Nations reported.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the international body to strengthen rebuilding efforts and enhance practices in coordinating activities on the ground with local assistance to build up civilian expertise. The Security Council has called for an increase in funds specifically for handling post-conflict countries facing challenges that include re-establishing government institutions and disarming militants.

"The Security Council underlines that civilian expertise in post-conflict peace-building is essential in helping to meet these needs," Karen Pierce, deputy permanent representative to the United Nations from the United Kingdom, said in a statement.