UN Security Council has extended the mission of the ISAF, a peacekeeping force, in Afghanistan till December 2014.

 

 The 15-member council has extended the authorization of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in a resolution adopted here Thursday. The current mandate of  ISAF led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expires this weekend, reports Xinhua. 

 

 The force was established to operate against insurgents in Afghanistan and strengthen the country's security forces.

 

 "Security remains a serious challenge in Afghanistan," said the council.  

 

 The UN body called member states to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources to ISAF and to support security, stability and transition in Afghanistan.

 

 NATO will withdraw its troops in the next few years, although some troops will remain there to support and train Afghan forces.