The UN Security Council on Friday extended the mandate of its mission monitoring the ceasefire line between the Georgian government and Abkhaz separatists for another four months, dpa reported.
The council decided to extend the 15-year-old mission's mandate while negotiations are underway to determine its future. The Georgian government fought a brief war last August with Russian troops that began over the break-away province of South Ossetia.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which Tbilisi claims as its provinces, have seceded and are recognized by Moscow. The two enclaves are mostly inhabited by Russian ethnics.
The council unanimously adopted a resolution extending the UN mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until June 15.
UNOMIG comprises 156 uniformed personnel, including 136 military observers and 20 police, supported by 103 international civilian personnel, and 195 local civilian staff. It was first sent to the areas to monitor the 1994 ceasefire ending the war in north-west Georgia.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had reported to the council that UNOMIG was in a "precarious position," which could become untenable because of tensions along the ceasefire line. He said on the Abkhaz- controlled side of the ceasefire line, Russian troops had taken over positions previously held by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) peacekeeping forces, on which UNOMIG relied for security. CIS is made up of former Soviet republics.
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