The UN Security Council on Thursday extended the UN mission's mandate in Iraq for another year so it can continue to assist Baghdad's democratic reform and reconstruction, dpa reported. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Iraq "values the advice, support and assistance of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq." "Iraq looks forward to a more positive, effective and constructive role for the mission with the return to work in Iraq of the specialized agencies, funds and programmes of the UN," Zebari said in a letter requesting the extension. The mission's new mandate will expire in July, 2012. -- SPA
