Security Council

5521^st Meeting (PM)

Security Council Extends International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan

until October 2007, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1707 (2006)

The Security Council, recognizing the “interconnected nature” of the challenges facing Afghanistan, such as security, governance, development and counter-narcotics, decided to extend the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for a 12-month period beyond 13 October 2006.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1707 (2006), the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, authorized the Member States participating in the ISAF to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate.

Recognizing the need to strengthen ISAF, the Council called upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to the Force and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established pursuant to resolution 1386 (2001).

In implementing the Force’s mandate, the Council also called upon the Force to continue to work in close consultation with Afghanistan’s Government, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, as well as with the Operation Enduring Freedom coalition.

The meeting began at 12:23 p.m. and adjourned at 12:26 p.m.

Resolution

The complete text of resolution 1707 (2006) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular its resolutions 1386 (2001) of 20 December 2001, 1413 (2002) of 23 May 2002, 1444 (2002) of 27 November 2002, 1510 (2003) of 13 October 2003, 1563 (2004) of 17 September 2004, 1623 (2005) of 13 September 2005 and 1659 (2006) of 15 February 2006,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

“Reaffirming also its resolutions 1368 (2001) of 12 September 2001 and 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001 and reiterating its support for international efforts to root out terrorism in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,

“Recognizing that the responsibility for providing security and law and order throughout the country resides with the Afghans themselves and welcoming the cooperation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF),

“Recognizing once again the interconnected nature of the challenges in Afghanistan, reaffirming that sustainable progress on security, governance and development, as well as on the cross-cutting issue of counter-narcotics, is mutually reinforcing and welcoming the continuing efforts of the Afghan Government and the international community to address these challenges,

“Stressing, in this regard, the importance of the Afghanistan Compact and its annexes, launched at the London Conference, which provide the framework for the partnership between the Afghan Government and the international community,

“Expressing its concern about the security situation in Afghanistan, in particular the increased violent and terrorist activity by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, illegally armed groups and those involved in the narcotics trade, which has resulted in increased Afghan civilian casualties,

“Reiterating its call on all Afghan parties and groups to engage constructively in the peaceful political development of the country and to avoid resorting to violence including through the use of illegal armed groups,

“Stressing, in this context, the importance of the security sector reform including further strengthening of the Afghan National Army and Police, disbandment of illegal armed groups, justice sector reform and counter-narcotics,

“Expressing, in this context, its support for the Afghan Security Forces, with the assistance of ISAF and the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) coalition in contributing to security in Afghanistan and in building the capacity of the Afghan Security Forces, and welcoming the extension of ISAF into Southern Afghanistan, with effect from 31 July 2006, the planned further ISAF expansion into Eastern Afghanistan and the increased coordination between ISAF and the OEF coalition,

“Expressing its appreciation to the United Kingdom for taking over the lead from Italy in commanding ISAF, and recognizing with gratitude the contributions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and many nations to ISAF,

“Determining that the situation in Afghanistan still constitutes a threat to international peace and security,

“Determined to ensure the full implementation of the mandate of ISAF, in consultation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,

“Acting for these reasons under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to extend the authorization of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), as defined in resolution 1386 (2001) and 1510 (2003), for a period of 12 months beyond 13 October 2006;

“2.   Authorizes the Member States participating in ISAF to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate;

“3.   Recognizes the need to further strengthen ISAF, and in this regard calls upon Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to ISAF, and to make contributions to the Trust Fund established pursuant to resolution 1386 (2001);

“4.   Calls upon ISAF to continue to work in close consultation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General as well as with the OEF coalition in the implementation of the force mandate;

“5.   Requests the leadership of ISAF to provide quarterly reports on implementation of its mandate to the Security Council through the Secretary-General;

“6.   Decides to remain actively seized of this matter.”

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For information media • not an official record