UN extends mandate for mission in Libya by three months - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

UN extends mandate for mission in Libya by three months
Mission to address threats of arms proliferation, including shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles left by the Muammar Gadhafi regime.
By DPA

The UN Security Council Friday extended the mandate of its mission in Libya for another three months so it can provide needed assistance to the transitional government in Tripoli. The new mandate will expire on March 16, but may be renewed depending on recommendations to be submitted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the next phase of UN support to Tripoli. The council added a new task to the mission, which is to "assist and support Libyan national efforts to address the threats of proliferation of all arms," including shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles left by the previous Muammar Gadhafi regime. The mission, composed of less than 200 staff, was deployed in October to help Tripoli restore security, implement plans for democratic reform in the lead up to general elections next year, and return the country to economic development.