U.N. extends EU peacekeepers Bosnian tour

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council said Wednesday it has approved a one-year extension for European Union peacekeepers deployed in Bosnia.

The unanimous resolution to extend the EU stabilization force comes a day after a U.N. human rights expert said political disputes still blocked the return of more than 117,000 people displaced by the fighting, the United Nations said in a release.

The 15-member body stressed "a comprehensive and coordinated return of refugees and displaced persons throughout the region continues to be crucial to lasting peace."

Since 2004, the EU stabilization force is charged with ensuring compliance by all sides in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the ethnic war there.

"The primary responsibility for the further successful implementation of the peace agreement lies with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina themselves," the Security Council said in a statement.

The Security Council said continued willingness of the international community and major donors to help politically, militarily and economically in reconstruction efforts in Bosnia depended on the parties' compliance.