The UN Security Council on Thursday turned
down a request by Somalia for a UN force in the troubled land, saying such a
move would only be considered after advances are made in the political process
and security situation in the African nation, reported dpa.
Somalia in August called on the council to deploy an international
peacekeeping force without delay in order to put an end to its 17- year-old
civil war. It had asked for a much smaller force than the previously proposed
operation of 26,000 military and civilian personnel, and for proper funding so
the force can do a "good job under reasonable circumstances."
The African mission in Somalia is currently supported by 2,600 troops from Uganda and Burundi. But African diplomats said the United Nations should take over and other
countries should contribute to increase it to 8,000, which is the ceiling being
considered by the UN.
The council instead asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to elaborate on a
contingency plan for such a mission within 60 days.