Friday, September 1 2006 15:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: The UN Security Council yesterday (Aug 31, 2006) decided to establish an over 20,000 strong peacekeeping mission for the troubled Darfur region of Sudan over objection by the government but its deployment would require the consent of Khartoum.

Russia, China and Qatar, the only Arab member of the Council, abstained as remaining 12 members voted in favour of the US-British sponsored draft which calls for replacing the current ineffective African Union Force with a robust United Nations mission by December 31.

To placate Russia and China, who have strong ties with Sudan and veto in the 15-member Council, the sponsors agreed to 'invite the consent' of the Sudanese government to deployment.

A part of the mandate of the new force, known as United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNMIS), is under chapter which will allow it to use force if necessary to prevent attacks and threats against civilians as also against UN and humanitarian personnel and facilities and to seize arms which pose threat to the implementation of its mandate.

"We are pleased that the Security Council has taken this important step," US Ambassador John Bolton, who had co-sponsored the text, said, adding it is imperative that we move immediately to implement it to stop the tragic events unfolding in Darfur.

He said the US expected Khartoum to comply with the terms of the resolution, warning that failure to do so will significantly undermine the Darfur peace agreement and prolong the humanitarian crisis in the region.