The United Nations Security Council plans to adopt on Friday a resolution extending the mandate of its mission in Iraq for another year and giving it an enhanced role in advancing the political process in the war-torn country, according to dpa. The council met Thursday to iron out differences on the draft and discuss the new mandate of the small UN mission with Iraqi government officials. The council president, Congolese Ambassador Basil Ikouebe, said a vote was planned on Friday to adopt the draft. The Iraqi government had written to the council asking for support in "Iraqi efforts to build a productive and prosperous nation at peace with itself and its neighbours." The draft gives the UN special representative in Iraq an enhanced mandate to "advise, support and assist" the Iraqi government. It calls on the UN mission to assist Baghdad in advancing inclusive, national dialogue and political reconciliation; organizing elections and facilitating regional dialogue, including on issues of border security, energy and refugees. In Washington, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States welcomes an expanded role for the United Nations in Iraq and assisting the Iraqi government. "We would encourage that effort," McCormack said. "We think that it's important that the international community come together and offer whatever assistance it can to the Iraqi government." Other tasks for the UN mission include assistance in a comprehensive census, the orderly return of refugees and the implementation of the International Compact, an economic programme for Iraq that has received wide support and billions of dollars. The UN mission will also promote the protection of human rights and embark on reforming Iraq's judicial and legal systems. The UN said its international staff of 65 in Baghdad will be increased to 95 to handle the new tasks, and a new UN special representative is expected to be appointed soon to replace the current one, Ashraf Qasi of Pakistan, whose term is expiring.
