UN Security Council extends peacekeeping mission in Liberia

    The extension followed the unanimous adoption of a resolution on the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the report said.

    The 15-member council authorized the peacekeeping force on Tuesday to assist Liberia with the 2011 general presidential and legislative election, and facilitate access to remote areas in the country, it said.

    The council also endorsed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's recommendation to implement the third state of UNMIL's drawdown, which he made known in his recent report on the mission.

        UNMIL was set up in 2003 to bolster a ceasefire agreement ending a war that had killed almost 150,000 Liberians, mostly civilians, and sent 50,000 others fleeing to neighboring countries; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.news.xinhuanet.com for full version.