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The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the mandate of the nearly 180,000-strong multinational force in Iraq for a year, a move the United States called a strong signal of the international commitment to Iraq's political transition. The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States, Britain, Denmark, Japan and Romania, was adopted in response to a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari for the U.S.-led force to remain in the country. The resolution extends the mandate until Dec. 31, 2006, with a review after eight months. Under its terms, the council will "terminate this mandate earlier if requested by the government of Iraq." Adopting the resolution ahead of the Dec. 15 elections eliminates any possible uncertainty about the continuation of the force since "everybody knows the Iraqis want the multinational force to continue," said [Ambassador John Bolton]. Al-Jaafari requested the yearlong extension in a letter to the council last month. |