Security Council OKs More Troops for Sierra Leone
UNITED NATIONS — In an effort to counter the rebel threat in Sierra Leone, the Security Council voted unanimously Friday to strengthen the 13,000-member U.N. peacekeeping force in the West African nation.
The U.N. commander in Sierra Leone told the council Thursday that he needs more troops quickly. The United States--which had opposed any immediate increase--announced Friday that it will support a larger U.N. contingent.
The resolution did not specify the size of a troop increase but did ask Secretary-General Kofi Annan to report to the council as soon as possible with recommendations for restructuring and strengthening the U.N. force. In May, he recommended the force be expanded by 16,500 troops.
The resolution extends the mandate of the force, which was set to expire Monday, until Sept. 8. The action was prompted by widespread violations by the rebel Revolutionary United Front of a July 1999 peace accord. The pact was intended to end a brutal eight-year civil war.
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