Security Council votes to increase U.N. role in Iraq

Above and Left: In 2003 a bomb tore through part of the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad, killing at least 17 people including the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. The UN withdrew operations from Iraq at the time, and returned later with only a minimal presence.

The Security Council voted on Friday to assign the United Nations an expanded political role in Iraq, promoting reconciliation between its rival factions and dialogue with neighboring countries.

The 15-nation council unanimously approved a U.S.-British resolution boosting the responsibilities of the four-year-old U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, whose existing mandate expired on Friday.

The new mandate requires UNAMI to "advise, support and assist" Iraqis on "advancing their inclusive, political dialogue and national reconciliation," reviewing their constitution, fixing internal boundaries and staging a census.

The mission would promote talks between Iraq and its neighbors on border security, energy and refugees, assist the return of millions who have fled the violence, coordinate reconstruction and aid, and help promote economic reform.

The expanded role is expected to require an increase in U.N. international staff in Baghdad, who currently number about 50 in the fortified Green Zone government and diplomatic compound. Until now, they have been mainly concerned with helping with elections and monitoring human rights.

Read the rest at the Washington Post

Related Link:
U.N. plan to raise Iraq staff to 95; Workers oppose, call for withdrawing all staff

Related Link:
Khalilzad: U.S. wants U.N. mediator for Iraq

Related Link:
UN Secretary General Ban: 'Any abrupt withdrawal or decision may lead to a further deterioration of the situation in Iraq'

Related Link:
UN Secretary General Ban: Iraq won't be a topic in meeting with Bush; 'I do not want to inject myself in issues of Iraq'

Related Link:
Report: UN Secretary General Ban praises 'sacrifices' made by U.S. in Iraq; Says U.S. 'played a considerable part in the stabilization of Iraq'

Related Link:
U.N. closes down hunt for Iraqi WMD, issues report saying inspections showing no WMD before war were accurate

Related Link:
UN: Refugees now total 4 million, including 2 million 'internally displaced'; 10 of 18 Iraqi governorates rejecting refugees

Related Link:
UN: 37,641 held in U.S. and Iraqi prisons; 3,000 since 'crackdown', many without warrant, charges or trial

Related Link:
U.N.: 34,000 Iraqis killed in violence in 2006