UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Despite a relative calm in the Middle East, tensions warrant the extension of the U.N. observer mission monitoring an Israeli-Syrian truce, U.N. officials said.
The United Nations formed the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force in May 1974 to monitor the cease-fire the ended the 1973 war between Israel and Syria over the Golan Heights.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in his latest report to the Security Council described the Israeli-Syrian situation as "generally quiet" but warned simmering tensions warranted the extension of the UNDOF mandate.
"Under the prevailing circumstances, I consider the continued presence of UNDOF in the area to be essential," he said.
The secretary-general called on the Israeli and Syrian governments to move toward political dialogue, condemning both sides for blocking U.N. monitors and peacekeepers from performing their duties.
"Both sides continued to construct new and renovate existing defensive positions in the respective areas of limitation," he added.
He warned, however, that the mission is in jeopardy from a $19.9 million shortfall in the $45 million budget for UNDOF peacekeepers.
