UN-AU force to remain in Darfur

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Thursday voted unanimously to keep the joint UN-African Union force (UNAMID) in Sudan's strife-torn Darfur region for another year to ensure the protection of civilians.

It adopted a British-drafted resolution that decides "to extend the mandate of UNAMID ...for a further 12 months to July 31 2010" and directed the force to make full use of its capabilities to protect civilians in Darfur and ensure "safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access."

The UN Security Council voted unanimously to keep the joint UN-African Union force (UNAMID) in Sudan's strife-torn Darfur region for another year to ensure the protection of civilians.