But the 15-nation body unanimously voted for a resolution extending the mission of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) until October 13, 2011. The resolution highlighted the increased threat from the Taliban and al Qaeda. It said the Security Council "recognises the need to further strengthen ISAF" and "calls upon member states to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to ISAF."
There are more than 152,000 US and Nato forces in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban-led insurgency. The UN resolution welcomed efforts made by the international force to reduce the number of civilian casualties from its attacks. It blamed "the large majority" of deaths of women and children in Afghanistan on the Taliban and al Qaeda. But the council said the international force must "continue to undertake enhanced efforts to prevent civilian casualties including the increased focus on protecting the Afghan population as a central element of the mission."
The resolution stressed the need for the Afghan government "to fight corruption, promote transparency and increase its accountability" in line with commitments it has made at international conferences this year. It also called for new government progress "in ending impunity and strengthening judicial institutions."
The Security Council said the Afghan government and the international force must work together to increase the capability of Afghan security forces "to accelerate progress towards the goal of self-sufficient, accountable and ethnically balanced" national forces. The world powers are anxiously awaiting the final results of Afghanistan's September 11 legislative election and want a credible result to boost efforts to stabilise the country.