Security Council to extend mandate of UN-AU force in Darfur

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The Security Council met Thursday to extend the mandate of UN-African Union troops in Darfur amid last-minute haggling over African concerns about a possible indictment of Sudan's president on genocide charges.

Ahead of the vote, the 15-member body was reviewing a British draft resolution that would extend the mandate of the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur (UNAMID) for one year from Thursday, when it is set to expire.

Diplomats said the US delegation raised 11th-hour objections to compromise language agreed Wednesday that finessed sharp differences over a call to delay a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on whether to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir on genocide charges.

An amendment sought...