UN extends its mission in Dili

UN extends its mission in Dili

UNITED NATION: The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Friday to renew for six months the mandate of the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET).

Resolution 1543 extends the mandate of UNMISET for six months, with a view to a "further and final" six month extension taking it to May 20, 2005.

The mission will include up to 58 civilian advisors, 157 civilian police advisors, 42 military liaison officers, 310 troops and an International Response Unit of 125 people.

UNMISET was set up under Security Council resolution 1480 on May 19, 2002, when the former Portuguese colony, occupied for 30 years by Indonesia, gained independence under UN auspices.

In a Security Council report in early May, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended the UNMISET mandate be extended for a year. --AFP